Production of cyclopiazonic acid by molds isolated from Taleggio cheese
Twenty-seven strains of Penicillium were isolated from the rind of Taleggio, a typical Italian cheese, so that we could test their capacity to produce cyclopiazonic acid (CPA); all strains produced CPA. The production was strongly influenced by the strain variety and growth conditions. Strains incubated at 25 degrees C for 7 days always produced CPA in mannitol broth, with concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 1 microg/ml, whereas only 33% of strains grown in yeast-extract broth produced CPA, with a maximum value of 0.1 microg/ml. In milk, maximum production (1.6 microg/ml) was observed after 14 days of incubation at 25 degrees C. In order to evaluate the presence of the toxin and its capacit…
Microbiological and safety evaluation of green table olives marketed in Italy
The microbiological and safety conditions of green table olives sold on the Italian market were evaluated on 40 samples, 20 loose and 20 packed in containers, purchased at street markets and supermarkets. The olives were analyzed for microflora and food safety indices, and for aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A occurrence, and the results showed acceptable security. There was wide heterogeneity in the microflora, the numerical values being in relation to the olive type. The microbial population was dominated by the yeasts and lactic bacteria responsible for the fermentation process, and their numbers, together with the metabolic activity, led to conditions unfavorable for the development of path…