Toxigenic fusarium species in maize grain in Ethiopia
1999
Wubet, T. (Alemaya University of Agriculture, Alemaya (Ethiopia). Department of Biology) | Abate, D. (Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). Department of Biology)
In Ethiopia, maize is the most important food crop in terms of total production. It is a staple food crop in major maize growing regions of the country. The form genus Fusarium is a common fungal contaminant in maize grain and several species of the genus are known to produce mycotoxins. Samples of maize grains intended for human consumption were collected from farmer stores and markets. The samples were grouped as normal, damaged and malted. Three Fusarium spp. were frequently isolated from the samples. R moniliforme (51.7%) was the most prevalent, followed by R subglutinans (24.2%) and R graminearum (13.9%). A number of strains of R moniliforme, R subglutinans and R graminearum have been reported to produce toxic metabolites. Many investigators have identified correlations between the incidences of these fusaria and their toxins with diseases of human being and other animals. Nearly all maize produced in the country is utilized for human consumption. Thus, the prevalence rate of these toxigenic Fusarium species in Ethiopian maize destined for human consumption suggests the possible contamination of maize and its products by fusarium toxins.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]