PRODUCTION OF AFLATOXIN IN PRE-PACKAGED LUNCHEON MEAT AND CHEESE AT REFRIGERATOR TEMPERATURES

Information is lacking on the ability of the common mold contaminant, Aspergillus flavus, to grow and produce aflatoxin in perishable foods at normal refrigerator temperatures. Because of public health interests we investigated the possibility of certain perishable foods contaminated with the mold developing an aflatoxin concentration under conditions of refrigeration. Cheddar cheese and luncheon-meat samples were inoculated with A. flavus ATCC 15517 and were refrigerated for 12 days at 4.4 or 7.2 C or incubated at 25 C for 12 days, Uninoculated cheese and meat samples were handled in the same manner. All samples were quantitatively analyzed by thin-layer chromatography for presence of aflatoxin. All samples; except those inoculated and incubated at 25 C, were negative for aflatoxin production. This indicated the mold would, not produce detectable aflatoxin in the tested foods when kept at normal refrigeration temperatures for 12 days.