Abstract
A total of 65 maize grain samples (Zea Mays L.) collected from cold and hot climatic zones of Pakistan lead to isolation of 10 Fusarium supposing deep freezing method. Occurrence of fusarium spp. was high (75%) in cold climatic zones as compared to hot zones (25%). Fumonisins were recorded in both climatic zones, though their incidence was higher in hot climatic zone (range 4,379-9,990 µg/kg). Incidence of A and B trichothecenes was higher in cool climatic zone. Zearalenone (ZON) with mean level 500 µg/kg was positive in only 10% samples of hot climatic zone. Furthermore, co-contamination of fusariotoxins was also observed for fumonisins with ZON, A and B trichothecenes. Among 33 recovered isolates, F. proliferatum, F. tricinctum, F. subglutinans, F. poae, F. nivale and F. acuminatum were found toxigenic.
Highlights
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third largest cereal crop of Pakistan, after wheat and rice
Maize grain samples collected from cold zone exhibited a higher (75%) infestation rate of Fusarium spp. as compared to hot climate zone (25%)
B-trichothecenes i.e. NIV and DON, 3ac-DON and 15ac-DON were isolated from cold climatic zone
Summary
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third largest cereal crop of Pakistan, after wheat and rice. It is grown in irrigated as well as rain-fed areas. Many feed mills utilize maize as the principal raw material. This important food source can be infested by different parasites, pests/ insects and fungi in field as well as during storage (Fandhon et al, 2003; Matny, 2014). The major toxigenic genera commonly recorded on maize in tropical regions, including Pakistan, are Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium (Orisi et al, 2000; Saleemi et al, 2012). Fusarium spp. produces a wide range of mycotoxins, viz., fusariotoxins (Tahira et al, 2015)
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