Influence of sodium bisulfite as an antimicrobial additive compound on growth and nitrogen metabolism of Aspergillus flavus link

ABSTRACT

The effect of sodium bisulfite on growth and nitrogen metabolism of Aspergilus flavus link was investigated. The concentrations of 0.015, 0.030 and 0.045% were found to inhibit growth of the fungus by 22.1, 51 .3 and 73.4%, respectively. Toal nitrogen was inhibited by 33.1, 43.2 and 75.5% respectively. Protein was also decreased, the percentage of decrease was a factor of sodium bisulfite concentration. Nucleic acids [RNA and DNA] and its related enzymes [nuclease and ribonuclease T1] were inhibited at all experimental sodium bisulfite concentrations, except ribonuclease T1 which showed a significant increase at 0.015%. Total free amino acids were increased at all sodium bisulfite concenrations. The percentage of increases were 285. 7, 359.8 and 94.4% at 0.015,0.03 and 0.045% sodium bisulfite, respectively Methionine appeared at 0.03%, while praline, valine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine and phenyl alanine disappeared at 0.045%