Diagnosis of mycotoxigenic fungi instored grain corn

Abstract

Fungi in stored grains can cause harmful effects on the health of consumers due to the mycotoxins that they produce. aflatoxins are the most toxic and carcinogenic fungal metabolites that are frequently more found in nature. During 2014/2015 an investigation was conducted to analyze the interaction of storage conditions with the incidence of mycotoxigenic fungi and aflatoxin concentration in stored grain corn. 27 samples of stored corn grain from the main producers states of Mexico were taken, and the conditions in which they were stored were registered. Fungi and aflatoxins incidence were quantified in laboratory, and the interaction effect of seed conditions with those parameters. High incidence of Fusarium and Aspergillus species were found, with 32 and 8% respectively, but with low levels of Aflatoxins. Also, we found influence between the levels of aflatoxins with the storage time and Aspergillus incidence. A high influence of grain moisture and volumetric weight with Aspergillus incidence was observed. Also we found an influence with the level of aflatoxins, storage time and Aspergillus incidence.