Aspergillus flavus

Aspergillus flavus is an important mycotoxigenc fungus, an aflatoxin producer, and is commonly isolated from coffee. It is fast growing and can occasionally be mistaken for an ochre group aspergillus on DG18 since its characteristic colour, yellow-green, is paler and shifts toward a golden yellow, a tone possible for ochre aspergilli on this medium. It also can produce sclerotia, visible on the cz plate (left). A closely related fungus, A. parasiticus, can be distinguished from it, often only with difficulty, based on its conidia being less coarsely decorated and conidial colour with more yellow. A. oryzae is faster growing and with more brown tones. [Photo taken by John Frank, FAO Consultant]