The diversity of filamentous fungi was investigated in three corn derived products: corn meal, corn starch and pre-cooked corn flour. For isolation it was used the plating method, in surface and in depth, with Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Medium (DRBC). Twenty three species of fungi, belonging to eight genera were identified. The highest percentage of species was found in corn meal (47%) followed by corn starch (29.5%) and pre-cooked corn flour (23.5%). Aspergillus flavus Link, Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon, Penicillium funiculosum Thom and P. duclauxii Delacroix were found in all substrates; Penicillium brevicompactum Dierckx was present in corn meal and corn starch, while P. aurantiogriseum Dierckx and Rhizopus oryzae Went & Prinsen Geerlings were detected in corn meal and pre-cooked corn flour. Fusarium moniliforme formed thehighest number of colonies forming units (352). Monascus ruber van Tieghen is being cited for the first time to Brazil, in processed corn. Species of Absidia, Aspergillus, Curvularia, Emericella, Fusarium, Monascus, Penicillium and Rhizopus have been mentioned as contaminant of corn derived products.
Filamentous fungi; isolation; processed corn
