Research Journal of Microbiology1816-4935xxxx-xxxxScience International10.3923/jm.2014.177.188WagaraI.N. MatasyohJ.C. NakavumaJ.L. 4201494Moulds damage foods, feeds and other agricultural commodities in the field
and storage, leading to postharvest losses. In addition, moulds produce mycotoxins
that cause illness or even death to consumers. This study evaluated maize and
groundnuts from selected districts in Kenya for mycotoxigenic moulds. Both good
and mouldy maize and groundnuts were obtained from randomly selected rural households
and markets in Trans Nzoia, Kakamega Central and Kuria West districts in Kenya
and analysed for moulds using the direct plating method. All the samples were
positive for moulds and contained at least one genera of mycotoxigenic fungi;
Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium. The major moulds
isolated in order of frequency were Aspergillus (91.3%), Penicillium
(86.2%) and Fusarium (79.3%). Fifteen species of Aspergillus,
eighteen of Fusarium and fifteen of Penicillium were isolated.
Most of the samples (86.2%) contained more than two types of moulds. Some of
the samples categorized as good
based on visual observation were highly contaminated by more species of moulds
than samples categorized as mouldy. The highest occurring mould species were
A. flavus (56.9%), A. niger (27.6%), A. parasiticus (25.9%),
A. ochraceus (24.1%), F. subglutinans (29.3%), F. oxysporum
(19%), F. graminearum (17.2%), P. rubrum (41.3%), P. cyclopium
(34.5%) and P. rugulosum (22.4%). Seventy five percent of the moulds
isolated in this study are known to be mycotoxigenic or produce other harmful
compounds. The high occurrence of mycotoxigenic moulds in maize and groundnuts
points to the great danger posed to human and animal health from consumption
of contaminated grains and their associated mycotoxins.]]>Agrios, G.N.,19974th Edn.,Pages: 635Pages: 635Azziz-Baumgartner, E., K. Lindblade, K. Gieseker, H.S Rogers and S. Kieszak et al.,200511317791783Bennett, J.W. and M. Klich,200316497516Bhat, R.V. and S. Vasanthi,20032003De Leon, C.,20044th Edn.,Pages: 119Pages: 119Desjardins, A.E. and R.H. Proctor,2007Fusarium mycotoxins.]]>1194750Fandohan, P., K. Hell, W.F.O. Marasas and M.J. Wingfield,2003Fusarium species and contamination with fumonisins in Africa.]]>2570579FAO.,1999Frivsad, J.F.,1985Penicillium species.]]>1109113Kaaya, A.N., W. Kyamuhangire and S. Kyamanywa,2006624012407Kephis,20062006Klich, M.,2002Aspergillus Species.]]>pp: 116pp: 116Kozakiewicz, Z.,1989Aspergillus species on stored products.]]>1611188Kung'u, J.,20052005Lanyasunya, T.P., L.W. Wamae, H.H. Musa, O. Olowofeso and I.K. Lokwaleput,20054162169Laura, E.S. and J.W. Allen,20092009Leslie, J.F. and B.A. Summerell,2006Fusarium Laboratory Manual.]]>Hussaini, A.M., A.G. Timothy, H.A. Olufunmilayo, A.S. Ezekiel and H.O. Godwin,2009Sorghum in Niger State, Nigeria.]]>5517Mazid, M., T.A. Khan and F. Mohammad,20113232249MOA,20082008Munkvold, G.P.,2003Fusarium diseases and their mycotoxins in maize ears.]]>109705713Munkvold, G.P., C. Hurburgh and J. Meyer,20092009Nelson, P.E., T.A. Toussoun and W.F.O. Marasas,1983Fusarium Species: An Illustrated Manual for Identification.]]>Pages: 193Pages: 193Oguz, H., H.H. Hadimli, V. Kurtoglu and O. Erganis,2003Fusarium species and contamination with fumonisin in Africa.]]>7482486Okello, D.K., A.N. Kaaya, J. Bisikwa, M. Were and H.K. Oloka,2010Pages: 38Pages: 38Pitt, J.I.,1979Penicillium and its Teleomorphic States: Eupenicillium and Talaromyces.]]>Pages: 634Pages: 634Pitt, J.I.,200056184192Probst, C., H. Njapau and P.J. Cotty,20077327622764Robledo-Robledo, E.,19911991pp: 3946Ryan, K.J. and C.G. Ray,20044th Edn.,Schmale, D.G. and G.P. Munkvold,20093340353Seifert, K.A.,1996Fusarium Interactive Key.]]>Pages: 65Pages: 65Shephard, G.S.,200322267286Shephard, G.S.,20082512461256Smith, J.E., G.L. Solomons, C.W. Lewis and J.G. Anderson,19941994De Souza, E.L., E. de Oliveira Lima, K.R. de Luna Freire and C.P. de Sousa,200548245250USDA,20032003Varga, J., J.C. Frisvad and R.A. Samson,20092263277Varga, J., J.C. Frisvad and R.A. Samson,2011Aspergillus section Flavi.]]>695780Wagacha, J.M. and J.W. Muthomi,2008124112