DISTRIBUTIONS OF AspergillusAND FusariumSPECIES, AND FUMONISIN CONTAMINATIONS IN MAIZE (Zea mays L.) IN SOMESELECTED DISTRICTS OF ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Maize(Zea mays L.) is affected by notorious mold pathogens like Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium species along the production chains and resulting mycotoxin contamination which leads to significant health concerns and economic losses. The current study was aimed to:(1) assess the farmers’ awareness and knowledge of fungi causing mold on maize and mycotoxin contamination along with pre- and post harvest practices;(2) investigate agro-ecological and environmental factors that contribute to mold development in maize; (3) determine the distribution of AspergillusandFusariumspecies associated with maize grain; and (4) quantify the level of fumonisin in maize samples along the value chain.The study was conducted in purposely selected two districts(Bako Tibe and Ilu Gelan) of West Shewa and two districts (Boricha and Halaba) of Southern Nation, Nationality and Peoples Region. A total of 180 maize grain samples were obtained from the field, stored and market and analyzed for seed germination (%), total fumonisin level in an ELISA test; and agar plate and standard blotter method were used for isolatingthe respective fungi genera. On average, 93.3 and 95.4% kernel infection was recorded on blotter and agar plate in that order. Among 15 identified fungi genera, Fusarium and Aspergillus genera were the major molds identified associated with maize grain on both methods. About 88.7 and 78.4% Fusarium and 31 and 19% Aspergillus species were isolated on agar plate and blotter method, respectively. The lowest (46%) maize seed germination percentage was recorded at Boricha collected from the market sample and the highest (82%) germination percentage was obtained on field samples from Halaba districts. On carnation leave agar, 42.9% F. verticillioides, 38.9% F. subglutinans and 22.3% F. proliferatum incidences were the frequent isolate, and on PDA 53.6, 44.5, and 18.3% A. flavus, A. niger, and A. parasaticus, respectively, were frequently recovered. Out of the total 180 maize grain samples, the total fumonisin levels ranged from 237.4 to 3070.1 µg kg-1 from all samples. On average, from the whole samples analyzed,about 69.3% sampleshad fumonisin levels aboveEuropean UnionMaximum Tolerable Limit and 24.5% sampleshad beyond that of FDA. The level of Fumonisin concentration beyond 1000 µg kg-1 Maximum Tolerable Limit of European Union were 100, 68, and 40% of the positive samples collected from markets, storage structures, and fields, in order and 46.7, 26.7, and 0% were beyond 2000 µg kg-1 Food and Drug Administration of sample collected from markets, stored and fields,respectively.It is necessary to make concerted campaigns to create awareness among farmers, and maize value chains on how to know of mold, mycotoxin, and the main types of Fusariumspecies that areresponsible for generation and contamination with fumonisins, and high-quality maintenance in maize food chains.