Patulin distribution in decayed apple and its reduction

Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by some species of the fungi Aspergillus and Penicillium, and is often detected in apple products. In this study spores from two fungal species that produce patulin were inoculated with a needle into apples about I mm below the skin. After incubation the apples were examined and then divided into 9 or 36 parts for patulin analysis. Patulin was analyzed by the UV-HPLC method. Apples inoculated with Penicillium grlseofulvum showed no visual signs of decay and no patulin was detected. Extensive decay was observed on those apples that had been inoculated with Penicillium expansum and more than 1000 mu g kg(-1) patulin was detected from the site of inoculation. Over 100 mu g kg(-1) of patulin were detected in parts next to the inoculation site. However, only traces of patulin were detected in those areas where there were no visible signs of decay. Removal of the decayed part of the apple can significantly reduce patulin contamination in the final product. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.