Abstract
A single culture medium consisting of rice powder (5%), corn steep liquor (4%), and agar (2%) was tested as a substrate for mycotoxin production using 34 known toxinogenic mold strains. Aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, sterigmatocystin, penicillic acid, patulin, citrinin, and zearalenone were each detectable in 4 days of incubation at 25 C using this medium. Extraction of melted agar cultures, in screw cap test tubes, with hot chloroform (55 C) followed by cooling to resolidify the agar greatly facilitated and simplified the extraction process and eliminated the need for separatory funnels. Mycotoxins were detected by treating developed thin-layer chromatographic plates with ammonia fumes, p-anisaldehyde, and phenylhydrazine and then viewing the chromatoplates under ultraviolet and white lights.