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A total of 67 samples of spices and herbs were tested for mould contamination. From 50.7% of samples, moulds were not isolated. The most dominant genera were Aspergillus and Penicillium. Potential producers of mycotoxins Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. were tested for the ability to produce some mycotoxins. Isolates of potentially toxinogenic species were found to produce various mycotoxins, namely alfatoxin B1 (Aspergillus flavus), cyclopiazonic acid (Aspergillus flavus), sterigmatocystin (Emericella nidulans), roquefortine C (Penicillium allii, P. chrysogenum, P. crustosum, P. expansum), penitrem A (P. crustosum) and patulin (P. expansum). Some of the tested isolates produce two mycotoxins: A. flavus (aflatoxin B1 and cyclopiazonic acid), P. crustosum (roquefortine C and patulin) and P. expansum (roquefortine C and patulin). None of the tested isolates of Aspergillus section Nigri screened, appeared to produce ochratoxin A. Totally 11 samples were analysed for the presence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. Aflatoxin B1 was found in 5 (45.5%) out of 11 samples analysed with levels ranging from 0.14 to 2.9 µg.kg-1. In one sample we detected aflatoxin G1.  Ochratoxin A was found in 3 samples (27.3%), with levels ranging from 2.2 to 5.19 µg.kg-1. No sample was contaminated by aflatoxins or ochratoxin A above the maximum admitted threshold established by the European legislation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fungicidal effect of eleven essential oils against six isolates of the genus Rhizopus. Isolates were obtained from various moldy foods (chestnut, bread, strawberry, nectarine, blackberry and cherry tomatoes). The essential oils used in this study were extracts of basil (Oscimum basilicum L.), hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia MILLER.), marjoram (Origanum majorana L.), mint (Mentha piperita L.), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.), summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.). Semi-quantitative composition of the essential oil samples was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The GC-MS analyses of the essential oils led to identification of 139 compounds, of which 49 were presented in ≥1% amount in at least one essential oil. The antifungal activity of essential oils against the Rhizopus spp. was determined, using microatmosphere method (0.625 μL.ml -1 of air), during 7 days. Seven essential oils: thyme, mint, summer savory, lavender, marjoram, oregano and wild thyme completely inhibited the growth of all isolates. Other essential oils have different effects on the growth of isolates. Basil essential oil stimulated growth of two isolates on the second day of cultivation. The growth of other isolates was, by contrast, inhibited by this essential oil in the same time of cultivation. Hyssop essential oil completely inhibited growth of two isolates, other 4 isolates were inhibited to fourth day of cultivation. In conclusion, certain essential oils are highly effective in vapour phase and can be used in another test of their antifungal activity and could be used in control of Rhizopus spp. or other fungal pathogens.

The aim of study was to detect the microscopic filamentous fungi from wine surface of sterilized grapes berries of Slovak origin. We analyzed 21 samples of grapes, harvested in the year 2012 of various wine-growing regions. For the isolation of species we used the method of direct plating surface-sterilized berries (using 0.4% freshly pre-pared chlorine) on DRBC (Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol agar). The cultivation was carried at 25±1°C, for 5 to 7 days. A total number of 2541 fungal isolates pertaining to 18 genera including Mycelia sterilia were recovered. Isolates of genus Alternaria were found in all of tested samples with the highest relative density 56.4%. The second highest isolation frequency we detected for genus Fusarium (90.48% positive samples), but with low relative density (31 isolates and 2.99% RD). Another genera with higher isolation frequency were Cladosporium (Fr 85.71%, RD 14.6%), Mycelia sterilia (Fr 85.71%, RD 4.25%), Penicillium (Fr 80.95%, RD 13.42%), Botrytis (Fr 71.43%, RD 2.95%) Rhizopus (Fr 66.66%, RD 1.34%), Aspergillus (Fr 57.14%, RD 0.87%), Epicoccum (Fr 47.62%, RD 1.22%), Trichoderma (Fr 42.86%, RD 1.26%). Isolation frequency of another eight genera (Arthrinium, Dichotomophtora, Geotrichum, Harzia, Chaetomium, Mucor, Nigrospora and Phoma) was less than 10% and relative density less than 0.5%. Chosen isolates of potential producers of mycotoxin (species of Alternaria, Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium) were tested for the ability to produce relevant mycotoxins in in vitro conditions using TLC method. None isolate of Aspergillus niger aggregate (13 tested) did not produce ochratoxin A – mycotoxin monitored in wine and another products from grapes berries. Isolates of potentially toxigenic species recovered from the samples were found to produce another mycotoxins: aflatoxin B1, altenuene, alternariol, alternariol monomethylether, citrinin, diacetoxyscirpenol, deoxynivalenol, HT-2 patulin, penitrem A and T-2 toxin in in vitro conditions. In conclusion, another research should be performed to detect the occurrence of these mycotoxins in grapes, must, wine and another products from grape.