*3.8. Aflatoxin Analyses from Cultures of Aspergillus Species*

To verify the protocol of the AF quantification from the cultures, two common strains of aflatoxin-producing fungi, *A. flavus* NRRL 3357 and *A. parasiticus* NRRL 2999, were used and tested for aflatoxin production. In addition, three of the non-aflatoxin producing *Aspergillus* strains were used as a negative control: *A. oryzae* M2040, *A. oryzae* NRRL RIB40, and *A. oryzae* NRRL 3483. Fungal strains were grown in three culture conditions in triplicate, as mentioned previously; samples were then harvested after 5 days of incubation, and AFs were extracted and analyzed by HPLC coupled with DAD and FLD.
