Background
The objective of this work is to assess the significance of penicillia isolated from a
bottled water factory particularly in relation to mycotoxin production. The annual
revenue from sales of bottled water is very large: bottled water has an image of being
healthy. There has been an increase in reports of fungal contamination of bottled water
and one of mycotoxin production. Patulin is known to be produced by Penicillium
expansum and has been reported from P. brevicompactum. The isoepoxydon
dehydrogenase (IDH) gene of the patulin metabolic pathway has been used to determine
the potential for patulin production in fungi.
Methods
Fungi were obtained in pure culture from throughout a bottled water factory including
from the bottled water and obtained in pure culture to assess where contamination may
occur. P. expansum and P. brevicompactum strains were analysed for patulin by TLC
and the IDH gene by the PCR. Other mycotoxins were also analysed.
Results
Penicillia were isolated from sites within the factory including P. expansum. In addition,
P. brevicompactum was frequent. Patulin was detected from P. expansum and
ambiguously from P. brevicompactum. However, the IDH gene was detected from both
in some cases. Other important mycotoxins were detected from the strains. Secondary
metabolites in medium used to produce biomass for DNA analysis were observed.
Conclusions
Fungi are capable of being present in bottled water from the manufacturing process.
Important mycotoxin producers are present including patulin ones. The effect of
mycotoxins on DNA analysis requires consideration. Further work is needed to
determine whether the mycotoxins can be present in bottled water
