Abstract
The inhibitory effects of aflatoxin B1 on growth, respiration and cell viability were studied in Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, L forms of S. typhi B-34-6 and protoplasts of E. coli and S. typhi. Tween-80 (0.05% v/v) or EDTA (0.05% w/v) accentuated the lethal effects of aflatoxin B1 in test organisms. The protoplasts and L forms were more sensitive than the parent strain to the inhibitory effects of aflatoxin B1. Cells from all growth phases were equally susceptible to the growth inhibition. The E. coli and S. typhi cells bound approximately 10-24% more aflatoxin B1 with Tween-80 (0.05%) or EDTA (0.05%) added than with aflatoxin B1 alone. Aflatoxin B1 caused a substantial decrease in oxygen uptake in test preparations and this decrease was greatest in the L forms of S. typhi, followed by protoplasts, protoplast membranes, whole cells and cell debris.
