OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of patulin producing strains on the different Chinese medicinal materials and the toxin biosynthesis mechanism.

METHODMicrobiology and HPLC analytical methods were adopted in this paper.

RESULTIt was showed that the materials rich in starch and other polysaccharides were easily polluted by the patulin producing strain. This strain grew well and produced more toxins under 25 degrees C, 95% moisture content and bulk package. And the effect of low illumination intensity on the strain growth and toxin biosynthesis was not notable. Sample stability, precision, repeatability and rate of recovery were studied. HPLC analytic method was established and it revealed that the test method was suitable.

CONCLUSIONThe pollution of Chinese medicinal materials by toxin producing microbes will be effectively controlled through establishing the suitable storage methods. So the study on the growing characteristics and toxin biosynthesis mechanism of toxin producing strains will be an important practical significance for controlling the toxin pollution of herbal medicines and contribute to establish the evaluation system of Chinese medicine safety.

Drug Compounding ; standards ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; standards ; Fungi ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Patulin ; biosynthesis ; Quality Control ; Safety