Toxic effect of lead on the growth of Penicillium species

Abstract

The growth of Penicillium species is studied in mineral salt medium, both in the absence and presence of lead acetate and sucrose at room temperature. A linear aod maximum growth takes place 4 days. While sucrose favours, lead acetate inhibus fungal growth. The effect of lead shows. a two step inhibition indicating its role in both log and lag phases. The tolerance limit for lead acetate increased with increment in sucrose supplement. Under optimum conditions (8 days, 100/0 (w/v) sucrose) the tolerance limits, LD50, LD100), were found to be less than 50, 65 and 70 mg 11 of Pb, respectIvely.