Mycotoxin Contamination of Stored Maize in Kenya and the Associated Fungi

Birgen Jonah K,Cheruiyot Richard C,Akwa Teh Exodus

doi:10.36959/394/620

Abstract

Ethiopian pepper mottle virus is one of the major constraints of pepper production in the central rift valley region of Ethiopia. The present study was conducted to determine optimum netting duration for efficient protection of pepper from vector infestation and subsequent viral infection. For this purpose, an experiment was carried out in the central rift valley of Ethiopia (i.e. Meki and Hawassa districts).

Highlights

Maize is a cereal crop grown in most tropical countries including Kenya for human consumption and animal feed
The nature of the storage structures used by farmers to store maize determines the preservation of the quality of the maize during the storage period
From the study it was established that fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium were responsible for the spoilage of the maize grains in store

Summary

Introduction

Maize is a cereal crop grown in most tropical countries including Kenya for human consumption and animal feed. In some of these structures the maize is exposed to elements that bring about infection by fungi which my lead to contamination by mycotoxins Some of these predisposing elements include water from leaking roofs which increases the moisture contents of the maize creating a hotspot for the growth of fungi leading to infection of the grains. Studies done by Lamboni, et al [5] of Togo on traditional African granaries identified species of Aspergillus, Rhizoctonia, Penicillium and Fusarium oxysporum as post-harvest fungi commonly infecting maize in the graneries. Studies have shown that the most important species of fungi and mycotoxins that could contaminate maize grains include Aspergillus flavus releasing aflatoxins, Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium proliferatum releasing fumonisins and Fusarium graminearum releasing trichothecenes and zearalenone [8,9]. 2010 [19] Nyaga, 2010 [20] Okoth, et al 2012 [21] Okoth et al 2012 [21] Muthomi, et al 2010 [22] Mahuku, et al 2019 [23] Sheila, et al 2017 Eliphus, 2014 [24]

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion