Inhibition of mycotoxigenic fungi in corn by ammonium and sodium bicarbonate

Abstract

This study sought to determine if ammonium and sodium bicarbonate inhibit the naturally-occurring fungi in corn. Addition of 1 and 2% ammonium bicarbonate into cracked corn caused 5.9- and 5.1-log CFU/g reductions, respectively, of corn's natural mycoflora. The same level of sodium bicarbonate produced 1.2- and 2.0-log CFU/g reductions. In addition, ammonium bicarbonate fully inhibited monocultures of Aspergillus ochraceus, Fusarium graminearium, and Penicillium griseofulvum inoculated into autoclaved corn. Sodium bicarbonate was not as inhibitory but reduced the production of ochratoxin A 100-fold.