The evaluation of antifungal effect of calcium propionate on different mold species

Abstract

The inhibitory effect of calcium propionate, on growth of Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus versicolor, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium vernicosum, Cladosporium macrocarpum, Fusarium semitectum, Mucor racemosus and Rhizopus oligosporus was evaluated at pH 5, 6 and 7 on Potato Dextrose Agar. The highest inhibition of the mold species was seen at pH 5 on the medium. The inhibitory effect of calcium propionate on the mold colonies increased significantly when the concentration of calcium propionate was raised from 1g/l to 2g/l. The inhibitory effect of calcium propionate was the highest at a concentration of 3g/to 4g/l. 1g/l, 2.5g/l and 4 g/l of calcium propionate were added to sterilized ground corn with 14% humidity to determine the effect of calcium propionate on the different molds growth at 25°C. The colony counts of mold species decreased from 106 cfu/ml to 105 cfu/ml at concentrations of 2.5 g/l and 4 g/l calcium propionate in PDA at pH 5. All concentrations of calcium propionate retarded mold growth in corn samples during a span of 110 days storage whereas the number of mold colonies on corn did not change significantly after 110 days of storage. It was determined that tested levels of calcium propionate were insufficient for the inhibition of different mold growths. © 2003 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.