Mycotoxin production by fungi isolated from stored grains

A study was conducted to determine the fungi associated with maize (Zea mays), rice (Oryza sativa) and millet (Pennisetum typhoiodes) in storage. Mycotoxin production by isolated fungi was subsequently evaluated using the thin layer chromatography technique. Eight different fungi were isolated altogether namelyAspergillus terreus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, Penicillium italicum, Penicillium spinulosum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Fusarium sp. The results of this study show that all the fungi produced one toxin or the other as detected in the culture filtrates of isolated fungi. However, only three of these toxins were identified namely aflatoxin B1, fumonisin B1, and zearalenone. The retention factors (Rf) of all the toxins produced were determined.   Key words: Maize, rice, millet, storage fungi, mycotoxins.