In parts of India a disease known as kodua poisoning occurs following
the consumption of kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) which is both a
staple food and an animal feed.Aspergillus flavusandA. tamariihave
been isolated from incriminated samples of millet and both species are
able to synthesize cyclopiazonic acid. Poisoning in cattle and humans is
associated with symptoms of nervousness, lack of muscle co-ordination,
staggering gait, depression and spasms and, in humans, sleepiness,
tremors and giddiness may last for one to three days.
Some of these symptoms are reminiscent of a problem in intensively
reared farm animals known as staggers in which complex indole alkaloid
metabolites (tremorgens) are implicated. One of these metabolites,
aflatrem, is also produced by some strains ofA. flavus.
8.4.3 Mycotoxins ofPenicillium
Penicilliumis much more common as a spoilage mould in Europe than
Aspergilluswith species such asP. italicumandP. digitatumcausing blue
and green mould respectively of oranges, lemons and grapefruits,
P. expansum causing a soft rot of apples, and several other species
associated with the moulding of jams, bread and cakes. Species which
have a long association with mould-ripened foods includeP. roquefortii
andP. camembertii, used in the mould ripened blue and soft cheeses
respectively.
The mycotoxin patulin (Figure 8.14) is produced by several species of
Penicillium, AspergillusandByssochlamysbut is especially associated
withP. expansumand was first described in 1942 as a potentially useful
antibiotic with a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity. It was discov-
ered several times during screening programmes for novel antibiotics and
this is reflected in the many names by which it is known including
claviformin, clavicin, expansin, penicidin, mycoin, leucopin, tercinin and
clavatin.
Figure 8.13 Cyclopiazonic acid
290 Non-bacterial Agents of Foodborne Illness