AFLATOXIGENIC ASPERGILLII IN OUTDOOR AIR OF RIYADH CITY.

Airborne Aspergillus species were surveyed in outdoor environment of Riyadh city using mechanical air sampling technique. Aflatoxin productivity rates of the obtained species were also investigated using HPLC. Aspergillii were the most predominant myco-pollutants of outdoor air in Riyadh city and intensively concentrated at Al-Murabba site. Among twenty five Aspergillus species obtained, A. niger and A. flavus were the most predominant ones. A. niger, A. flavus and E. nidulans were also highly distributed species over the sites. Surveyed Aspergillii varied in their ability to produce aflatoxins. Thus, although some species were aflatoxigenic, others exhibited no detectable toxin production. Aspergillus flavus was the highest producer of B₁ (6.6 ppb), G₁ (3.82 ppb) and G₂ (2.82 ppb) aflatoxins. Further information on genera, species and spore density in the air are limiting factors required for assessing any adverse effects of outdoor myco-pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]