Inhibiting effect of medicinal mushrooms Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing. (Agaricomycetideae) on aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus Speare.

Culture filtrates of Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing, (shiitake mushroom) added to potato dextrose broth inoculated with a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus parasiticus Speare showed an inhibiting effect on aflatoxin production. Filtrates from 30- (steady conditions) and 15-(shaken conditions)-day-old cultures were the most efficient in inhibiting aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus. Mycelia of L. edodes, incubated on wheat seeds for 20 and 30 days and subsequently inoculated with A. parasiticus, delayed fungal growth of the toxigenic strain and inhibited aflatoxin production. L. edodes represents a promising medicinal mushroom to control the infection by A. parasiticus and the aflatoxin production.