Diacetyl—A growth and toxin inhibitor of Aspergilli

Abstract

Diacetyl (2,3-butanedione) a food additive, was found to be very effective in inhibiting growth and toxin production of Aspergillus flavus, A. versicolor and A. ochraceus when grown on synthetic liquid media and on natural substrates of maize and maize flour. Total growth inhibition of A. flavus and A. versicolor was observed at 250 ppm when grown on liquid medium, whereas 3000–4000 ppm were required to inhibit growth on maize and maize flour. A. ochraceus required 3000 and 6000 ppm of diacetyl for complete inhibition of growth on liquid medium and solid substrates respectively, suggesting it was less sensitive to the compound.