Studies on the Toxigenic Fungi Isolated from Local Grains and Foodstuffs

수종(數種) 곡류(穀類) 및 식품(食品)에서 분리(分離)한 진균(眞菌)의 유독성(有毒性)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究)

These studies were carried out to detect the presence of mycotoxin producing fungi in various kind of grains and foodstuffs in Korea. The experiments were divided into three parts: bacteriologic, toxicologic and electron microscopic studies. The results were summarized as follows: 1. From the 133 various samples, 426 colonies of fungi were isolated. In 405 of 426 colonies, it was possible to identify 17 genera. Among the identified strains, the predominant genera were Penicillium, Aspergillus and Alternaria. 2. In cytotoxicity test, 20 strains showed mild to severe toxic effects in mice and 24 strains showed toxic effects on HeLa cells among the 107 strains of experiments. 3. In electron microscopic studies of liver cells from animal which had been treated with toxin like substances, the liver cells showed the cytoplasmic changes: dilatation of endoplasmic reticulum, swelling of mitochondria, disappearance of mitochondrial cristae, increased number of lipid and glycogen particles. Nucleus and nuclear envelope alterations were also noted. 4. In fine structure of HeLa cells treated with culture filtrates of mycotoxin producing fungi and experimental strains had been noted a certain specific changes induced by culture filtrates. These alterations showed the disappearance of golgi complex, endoplasmic reticulum vacuolization and mitochondrial changes. 5. As a mass screening, the cytotoxicity tests of HeLa cells and histopathologic study of mice liver cells treated with toxin-like substances, employed are feasible to detect mycotoxin producing fungi.