Study of the alkaloid composition of the food‐infecting penicilles

Abstract

Over 30 strains of various Penicillium sp. isolated from food have been screened for the ability to synthesize mycotoxins of an alkaloid nature. The most productive were P. expansum, P. raciborskii, P. puberulum, P. commune, P. viridicatum, P. chrysogenum, P. palitans, P. purpurescens and P. cyclopium. The separate components of the alkaloid mixtures have been isolated and identified. The range of metabolites synthesized by different strains of the same species was considerably expanded. New producers of aurantioclavine, meleagrin, roquefortine, rugulovasine, clavine alkaloids and some other compounds have been found. It was shown that the alkaloid composition and content were dependent on the medium, culture age and method of cultivation.

Keywords:

• mycotoxins
• alkaloids
• Penicillium