The effects of sorbic acid [110-44-1] and several derivatives of fatty acids (amides, aminimides, and monoglycerides) upon toxigenic cultures of A. flavus and A. parasiticus was studied. A synthetic medium was inoculated with spores, incubated for 48 h at 27°, and then supplemented with sorbic acid and fatty acid derivatives Cultures were then incubated for an addnl. 5 days. Aflatoxins were extracted, separated, and quantitated. Mycelial mats were dried, weighed, and analyzed for lipid and mineral content. cerulenin [17397-89-6] (8 μG/mL) was the most effective fatty acid derivative examined, reducing mycelial growth by 37% and completely inhibiting extracellular accumulation of aflatoxins. Other derivatives, in decreasing order of effectiveness, included M-20 (an aminimidel), lauribic, and lauricidin. Mycelia grown in the presence of fatty acid derivatives contained less P, K, Mg, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, cholesterol, and triglycerides, but more cardiolipin, phosphatidylcholine, free fatty acids, fatty acid esters, and diglycerides. Monoglycerides and cholesterol esters remained essentially unchanged. Inhibition by sorbic acid was nonspecific, affecting both mycelial growth and extracellular aflatoxin accumulation to approx. the same extent. Utilization of fatty acid derivatives for determining mechanisms of aflatoxin accumulation and lipid biosynthesis appears promising.