Evaluation of several culture media for production of patulin by Penicillium species

The aim of this study was to evaluate different species of Penicillium to identify those which have the potential to produce the greatest amount of the mycotoxin, patulin. Additionally, six different culture media were compared to determine maximum patulin production. Eleven different strains of Penicillium species were selected because they had previously been reported to be producers of patulin. The strains included Penicillium expansum, Penicillium griseofulvum (formerly Penicillium urticae), Penicillium clavigerum, and Penicillium coprobium and a recent Penicillium sp. isolated from an apple. Cultures were grown in duplicate in three different liquid media: potato dextrose, malt extract, and glucose/yeast extract/peptone, both with and without manganese supplementation. Patulin production was compared at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. Variability in patulin production occurred among the different species, growth media used, and time of incubation. All three of the P. griseofulvum isolates were the highest producers of patulin at 96 h. For most of the strains, potato dextrose broth supplemented with manganese was optimal for maximum production of patulin. Although P. expansum is frequently cited as the most likely source of patulin in apple juice, certain other Penicillium species are capable of producing more patulin than strains of P. expansum. The apple juice industry should be alert to the possibility that Penicillium species other than P. expansum can be responsible for the occurrence of patulin.