Effect of alcohols on the infection of Aspergillus flavus and the control of aflatoxin contamination in high moisture maize

The effect of methanol and ethanol to control Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin (AF) contamination in high moisture maize kernels was studied. When treated with 3% of pure methanol (v/w) to maize kernels in traditional jute bags three days after shelling and then stored for 10 days, infected kernels by A. flavus and AF accumulation were 56% and 36 ppb respectively, while those of untreated maize were 96% and 248 ppb. When either 3% (v/w) of pure methanol or ethanol was treated to maize kernels immediately after shelling, ten days later, alcohol-treated maize showed low percentage of A. flavus infection (1 or 1.5%) and aflatoxin accumulation (<5 or 13 ppb), while untreated maize was high frequency of A. flavus infection (65%) and high level of AF accumulation (180 ppb).