Caffeine Inhibition of Sterigmatocystin, Citrinin, and Patulin Production

ABSTRACT Microbiological medium was used to study the effect of caffeine on sterigmatocystin, citrinin, and patulin production by Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium citrinum , and Penicillium urticae , respectively. Caffeine inhibited the growth of the three fungal species and decreased sterigmatocystin and patulin production. The effect on citrinin production appeared to be limited to a delay in toxin synthesis. A preliminary examination of P. urticae suggested that caffeine's anti‐mycotoxigenic activity does not involve a generalized inhibition of lipid synthesis.