Extracts of Penicillium commune, a fungus isolated from cottonseed, showed biological activity in day-old cockerels. Two neurotoxic metabolites were isolated and identified as penitrem A and roquefortine. This is the first report of roquefortine being produced by a fungus other than Penicillium roqueforti as well as the first report of penitrem A and roquefortine being produced in the same culture. Production of these toxins on liquid media and cottonseed was determined. Cottonseed meal is widely used as a protein source in animal feeds and is potentially important as human food. Its use as food has been

The mycoflora of nine varieties of grain sorghum was determined by plating serial dilutions of ground samples on rose bengal-streptomycin agar. Seventeen species of fungi representing 10 genera were identified. Curvularia, Penicillium, Mucor, and Aspergillus were dominant genera. Extracts of P. herquei were highly toxic to brine shrimp, while those of C. clavata, C. lunata, and Mucor mucedo showed low to moderate toxicity. Extracts of C. clavata, C. lunata, and M. mucedo were highly toxic to chicken embryos; those of six other species showed low to moderate toxicity. Extracts of C. clavata, C. lunata, M. mucedo, Fusarium moniliforme, Alternaria tenuissima. P. herquei, and P. steckii showed varying degrees of toxicity to day-old cockerels.

Twenty-three isolates of fungi, representing 13 thermophilic and thermotolerant species, were bioassayed for toxigenicity to brine shrimp, chicken embryos, and rats. Thirteen isolates representing nine genera were highly toxic to at least two of the three systems. Seven additional isolates of five genera were slightly toxic.

Forty-five fungal isolates from moldy supermarket foods were tested for toxicity to brine shrimp, and twenty-two of these isolates were subsequently tested for toxicity to chicken embryos. Highly toxigenic fungi were Cladosporium sphaerospermum from a bakery product, Fusarium oxysporum from carrots, F. solani from cabbage, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium corylophilum from bread, P. cyclopium and P. herquei from corn meal, P. lanosum from onions, P. steckii from chocolate syrup, Penicillium sp. from jelly, and Rhizopus nigricans isolates from sweet potato, applesauce, and strawberries. Approximately one-third of the fungal cultures were moderately to highly toxigenic to brine shrimp and chicken embryos, while several additional cultures were slightly toxigenic.

Twenty-three isolates of fungi, representing 13 thermophilic and thermotolerant species, were bioassayed for toxigenicity to brine shrimp, chicken embryos, and rats. Thirteen isolates representing nine genera were highly toxic to at least two of the three systems. Seven additional isolates of five genera were slightly toxic.