G. Bigirwa
Namulonge Agricultural and Animal Production Research Institute,
P.O. Box 7084, Kampala, Uganda
G. Sseruwu
Department of Crop Science, Maker ere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
A. N. Kaaya
Department of Food Science and Technology, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
E. Adipala
Department of Crop Science, Maker ere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
S. Okanya
Namulonge Agricultural and Animal Production Research Institute,
P.O. Box 7084, Kampala, Uganda
ABSTRACT
Freshly harvested dry maize ears were sampled from farmers in 2002A and 2002B seasons in ten major maize growing districts of Uganda and kernels plated onto malt extract or malt salt agar for mould growth and were also analysed for moisture and aflatoxin content. Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Phomopsis, Acremonium, Stenocarpella and Rhizopus were the genera identified. Fusarium verticillioides and Aspergillus flavus were the most common mould species identified and were isolated from both symptomatic and asymptomatic maize samples in both seasons. Overall, mean aflatoxin levels of both asymptomatic and symptomatic samples were lower than the FDA/WHO 20 ppb regulatory limit. Samples from Masindi district had the highest mean aflatoxin levels (13 ppb) followed by those from Mayuge (11.8 ppb) while those from Kapchworwa had the least mean levels (0.7 ppb). Samples collected during 2002A season had generally higher moisture content, mould incidence and aflatoxin levels than the 2002B samples. Although the findings from the study were only able to show aflatoxins, there is a strong likelihood of other mycotoxins occurring in maize grain in higher proportions. There is therefore the need to quantify these toxins to form a basis for the next course of action.
PDF References
How to cite this article
G. Bigirwa, G. Sseruwu, A. N. Kaaya, E. Adipala and S. Okanya, 2006. Fungal Microflora Causing Maize Ear Rots in Uganda and Associated Aflatoxins. Journal of Biological Sciences, 6: 540-546.
DOI: 10.3923/jbs.2006.540.546
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jbs.2006.540.546
DOI: 10.3923/jbs.2006.540.546
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jbs.2006.540.546
REFERENCES
- AOAC, 1999. Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International. 16th Edn., AOAC International, Maryland, USA., ISBN: 9780935584547.
Direct Link - Kaaya, A.N., H.L. Warren, S. Kyamanywa and W. Kyamuhangire, 2005. The effect of delayed harvest on moisture content, insect damage, moulds and aflatoxin contamination of maize in Mayuge district of Uganda. J. Sci. Food. Agric., 85: 2595-2599.
CrossRefDirect Link - Kapindu, S.J., V.W. Saka, A.M. Julian, R. Hillocks and W.A.B. Msuku, 1999. The significance and management of maize cob rots in smallholder farms in central Malawi. Afric. Crop Sci. J., 7: 531-538.
Direct Link - Macdonald, M.V. and R. Chapman, 1997. The incidence of Fusarium moniliforme on maize from Central America, Africa and Asia during 1992-1995. Plant Pathol., 46: 112-125.
Direct Link - Magan, N. and J. Lacey, 1988. Ecological determinants of mould growth in stored grain. Int. J. Food Microbiol., 7: 245-256.
Direct Link - Miller, J.D., 1995. Fungi and mycotoxins in grain: Implications for stored product research. J. Stored Prod. Res., 31: 1-16.
CrossRefDirect Link - Mphande, F.A., B.A. Siame and J.E. Taylor, 2004. Fungi, aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid associated with peanut retailing in Botswana. J. Food Prot., 67: 96-102.
Direct Link - Pittet, A., 1998. Natural occurrence of mycotoxins in foods and feeds: An updated review. Rev. Med. Vet., 149: 479-492.
Direct Link - Sebunya, T.K. and D.M. Yourtee, 1990. Aflatoxigenic aspergilli in foods and feeds in Uganda. J. Food Qual., 13: 97-107.
CrossRefDirect Link - Setamou, M., K.F. Cardwell, F. Schulthess and K. Hell, 1998. Effect of insect damage to maize ears, with special reference to Mussidia nigrivenella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), on Aspergillus flavus (Deuteromycetes: Monoliales) infection and aflatoxin production in maize before harvest in the Republic of Benin. J. Econ. Entamol., 91: 433-438.
- Tuite, J., C. Koh-Knox, R. Stroshine, F.A. Cantone and L.F. Bauman, 1985. Effect of physical damage to corn kernels on the development of Penicillium species and Aspergillus glaucus in storage. Phytopathology, 75: 1137-1140.
Direct Link - Widstrom, N.W., W.W. McMillian, R.W. Beaver and D.M. Wilson, 1990. Weather-associated changes in aflatoxin contamination of preharvest maize. J. Prod. Agric., 3: 196-199.
Direct Link - Williams, J.H., T.D. Phillips, P.E. Jolly, J.K. Stiles, C.M. Jolly and D. Aggarwal, 2004. Human aflatoxicosis in developing countries: A review of toxicology, exposure, potential health consequences and interventions. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 80: 1106-1122.
PubMedDirect Link