Aspergillusand aflatoxin in groundnut (Arachis hypogaeaL.) and groundnut cake in Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess major Aspergillus species and aflatoxins associated with groundnut seeds and cake in Eastern Ethiopia and evaluate growers' management practices. A total of 160 groundnut seed samples from farmers' stores and 50 groundnut cake samples from cafe and restaurants were collected. Fungal isolation was done from groundnut seed samples. Aspergillus flavus was the dominant species followed by Aspergillus parasiticus. Aflatoxin analyses of groundnut seed samples were performed using ultra performance liquid chromatography; 22.5% and 41.3% of samples were positive, with total aflatoxin concentrations of 786 and 3135 ng g , while as high as 158 ng g −1 aflatoxin B 1 was recorded. The study confirms high contamination of groundnut products in East Ethiopia. ARTICLE HISTORY

Integrated management of Aspergillus species and aflatoxin production in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) through application of farm yard manure and seed treatments with fungicides and Trichoderma species

“…In the second year (2015), the highest aflatoxin B 1 (5704.4 µg/kg) and B 2 (2219.0 µg/kg) were detected in samples harvested from the control plots. Recently Mohammed et al (2016) detected aflatoxin B 1 2526.3 µg/kg in groundnut seed collected from growers' storages. These results indicated that, the groundnut seed produced in eastern Ethiopia was badly contaminated with aflatoxin.…”

“…A pre-pleated filter paper Whatman No. 4 was inserted in the mixture, 500 μL of filtrate was transferred to a disposable glass test tube followed by addition of 500 μL of acetonitrile to the same tubes and mixed thoroughly (Mohammed et al, 2016). Then, 500 μL of the mixture was pipetted into the 1.5-mL columns prepared for cleaning.…”

“…In this area, groundnut is replacing major crops like maize and sorghum (Amare and Tamado, 2014). Despite its ever-increasing importance, groundnut quality and marketability are hampered by pre-and postharvest aflatoxin contamination in the area (Ayalew et al, 1995;Eshetu, 2010;Chala et al, 2013;Mohammed and Chala, 2014;Mohammed et al, 2016).…”

“…However, there is no acceptable limit of aflatoxin in Ethiopia. Recently, Mohammed et al (2016) reported aflatoxin B 1 concentrations of 2,526 and 158 µg/kg, in groundnut seed and groundnut cake locally known as "Halawa", respectively, from Eastern Ethiopia. The high aflatoxin levels observed indicate the urgent need for management of Aspergillus and associated aflatoxin contamination in this area.…”

Study of the genetic diversity of the aflatoxin biosynthesis cluster inAspergillussectionFlaviusing insertion/deletion markers in peanut seeds from Georgia, USA

“…Interestingly, these markers differentiated groups within the toxigenic A. flavus group (GIII) and showed some association with the amount of aflatoxin produced. Although higher concentration of aflatoxin are expected from S strains (Horn and Dorner 1999), in the year 2014 only L strains were observed in the dilutions plated; using the same sampling protocol, we usually recover L and S strains from other geographical areas (Mohammed et al 2016). Since point mutations (Ehrlich and Cotty 2004) or small deletions (Calvo et al 2004) in regulatory genes are sufficient to affect aflatoxin production, further studies should be conducted to determine if the insertions/deletions observed are related to the capability to produce large or small amounts of aflatoxins.…”