Abstract
Aflatoxin associated with a number of cereals and legumes is estimated to increase the chances of developing primary liver cancer in 152.7 and 61.1 cancer/year/100,000 population of infants and children, respectively in Nigeria. This study was carried out to assess the implications of some agronomic practices on the infestation of aflatoxigenic fungi and total aflatoxin in maize produce in Benue State. Two maize sample types (Pre-harvest and Post-harvest) collected from 3 locations in Benue State were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar for fungi isolation and identification. Moisture content and total aflatoxin concentration were determined (ELISA method) in both pre-harvest oven dried and farmer’s post-harvest sun dried samples. Information on agronomic practices was obtained with the aid of questionnaire. T-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data with confident levels set at 95%. Overall, 5 mould genera were identified: Aspergillus (44.0%), Fusarium (24.44%), Botryodiplodia (17.78%), Rhizopus (15.56%) and Penicillium (4.44%). Moisture content of oven dried samples was significantly less than that of farmers sun dried samples (t = 10.45, P < 0.001). Similarly, a significant difference in total aflatoxin concentration was recorded between farmers sun dried and oven dried samples (t = 2.37, P = 0.03). Half of the farmer’s sun dried samples had aflatoxin concentration above the recommended EU (4 ug/Kg) limit, but none of the pre-harvest oven dried samples exceeded EU limits. Maize samples from fertilized farms were more likely than non-fertilized farms to have higher aflatoxin concentration (P = 0.002). Similarly, Maize seeds purchase from the open market were more likely than seeds from previous harvest to be contaminated with aflatoxin (P = 0.003). The study advocates rapid drying of timely harvested maize so as to reduce or stop the action of heavy field fungi contaminants as well as aflatoxin accumulation.
Highlights
Maize (Zea mays) is an important staple crop which is consumed by people with varying food preferences and socio-economic background [1]
Total aflatoxin concentration of farmers’ sun dried samples ranges from 0 - 80 ppb while aflatoxin quantification in oven dried samples ranges from 0 - 1.80 ppb
Moisture content of farmers’ sun dried maize samples ranges from 10.20% - 18.83% while that of oven dried maize samples ranges from 5.09% - 10.80%
Summary
Maize (Zea mays) is an important staple crop which is consumed by people with varying food preferences and socio-economic background [1]. Mycotoxins associated with fungi infestation of maize have been reported [5]. Of great importance is the aflatoxins which are secondary metabolites produced by certain species of fungi, notably Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus [6]. Different types of aflatoxins have been identified: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), Aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), Aflatoxin G1 (AFG1), and Aflatoxin G2 (AFG2) [7]. They are reportedly heat stable (except at 360 ̊C); can withstand fermentation, pasteurization, cooking, frying and boiling [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
