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Dimethyl Sulfoxide Inhibition of Aflatoxin Synthesis by Aspergillus flavus. G. A. Bean, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, University of Maryland, College Park 20742; W. L. Klarman(2), G. W. Rambo(3), and J. B. Sanford(4). (2)(3)(4)Associate Professor, Research Assistant, and Technician, respectively, Department of Botany, University of Maryland, College Park 20742. Phytopathology 61:380-382. Accepted for publication 11 November 1970. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-61-380.

Aspergillus flavus was grown at 22, 28, and 35 C in a medium containing 0 to 50,000 ppm dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Aflatoxin concentration and mycelial production were measured periodically for 6 weeks. Without DMSO in the medium, the optimum temperature for aflatoxin production was 35 C after 1 week, 28 C after 2 weeks, and 22 C after 4 and 6 weeks. The addition of 5,000 ppm DMSO caused a slight increase in aflatoxin concentration at 22 and 28 C after 1 week, at 35 C after 2 weeks, and at 28 C after 4 weeks. At all other temperatures and time intervals, aflatoxin concentration decreased with increasing levels of DMSO. The dry weight of mycelium decreased slightly at all temperatures with increasing DMSO concentrations.