Wax and Cuticle of Peanut Seed Coat in Relat ion to Infection and Aflatoxin Production by Asperillus flavus
花生种皮蜡质和角质层与黄曲霉侵染和产毒的关系

The effects of wax and cuticle of peanut seed coat on reducing the infection and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus w ere studied. Experiments showed that when the wax on seed coat was removed wit h chloroform or/and cuticle removed with KOH (or cutinase), fungal infection ra te and aflatoxin content in the seeds were significantly increased. Aflatoxin c onte nt in seeds with wounded seed coat was higher than that in intact seeds aft er be ing inoculated with A. flavus. Scanning electron microscopic obser vation on seed coat revealed that most of resistant seeds were rough in appeara nce and had adundant wax deposits on seed surfaces. It is indicated that the wa x and cu ticle play an important role in preventing fungal penetration.