| Abstract: | The effects of various gaseous environments and temperatures on development of Penicillium martensii NRRL 3612 and production of penicillic acid (PA) were determined. Accumulation of PA in mold-inoculated corn was measured following incubation under air; 20% CO(2), 20% O(2), 60% N(2); 40% CO(2), 20% O(2), 40% N(2); and 60% CO(2), 20% O(2), 20% N(2). Although reduced temperature initially inhibited PA production, at the end of the trial the largest quantity of PA (120 mug/g of corn) was found in air-incubated corn at the lowest test temperature (5 C). Atmospheres enriched with 60% CO(2) reduced PA accumulation below a detectable level at 5 and 10 C after a 4-week incubation period. Spore germination tests were carried out in a liquid growth medium incubated for 16 hr under several test conditions. Germ tube outgrowth at 30 C ranged from 36% in air to 2% in 60% CO(2), whereas no germination was observed in CO(2)-enriched gases at 10 C. When spore respiration rates were measured in air and O(2) in a liquid growth medium, complete removal of CO(2) from the reaction atmosphere did not reduce O(2) uptake. |
