The Effect of Environmental Factors on Mould Counts and AFB1 Toxin Production by Aspergillus flavus in Maize

Abstract

The toxins produced by Aspergillus flavus can significantly inhibit the use of maize. As a result of climate change, toxin production is a problem not only in tropical and subtropical areas but in an increasing number of European countries, including Hungary. The effect of meteorological factors and irrigation on mould colonization and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) mycotoxin production by A. flavus were investigated in natural conditions, as well as the inoculation with a toxigenic isolate in a complex field experiment for three years. As a result of irrigation, the occurrence of fungi increased, and toxin production decreased. The mould count of fungi and toxin accumulation showed differences during the examined growing seasons. The highest AFB1 content was found in 2021. The main environmental factors in predicting mould count were temperature (Tavg, Tmax ≥ 30 °C, Tmax ≥ 32 °C, Tmax ≥ 35 °C) and atmospheric drought (RHmin ≤ 40%). Toxin production was determined by extremely high daily maximum temperatures (Tmax ≥ 35 °C). At natural contamination, the effect of Tmax ≥ 35 °C on AFB1 was maximal (r = 0.560–0.569) in the R4 stage. In the case of artificial inoculation, correlations with environmental factors were stronger (r = 0.665–0.834) during the R2–R6 stages.

Occurrence of Aspergillus chevalieri and A. niger on Herbal Tea and Their Potential to Produce Ochratoxin A (OTA)

“…Environmental factors such as temperature, air wetness, and water activity play a significant role in influencing mycotoxin production and contamination levels in pre-and post-harvest products. Various studies have highlighted the impact of these factors [89][90][91][92][93][94]. Mycotoxin production is influenced not only by the genetic makeup but also by environmental conditions, such as those from northern Thailand, and potential host effects.…”

Effects of Climate Change on Areas Suitable for Maize Cultivation and Aflatoxin Contamination in Europe

“…are thermotolerant fungal species that are adapted to warmer climates. As a consequence, aflatoxins mainly occur in crops such as maize, rice, and nuts, which are grown in tropical and subtropical areas [17]. However, with climate change, it has already been predicted by several studies that aflatoxins in maize will also become a main food safety hazard in Europe.…”

Mechanism Underlying Bacillus subtilis BS-Z15 Metabolite-Induced Prevention of Grain Contamination by Aspergillus flavus

“…Peanuts are the most susceptible oil crop to A. flavus infection [ 2 ]. Corn, which is also susceptible to A. flavus infection [ 3 ], is one of the most important cash crops and has the largest planting area in the world. Even after deep processing, the aflatoxins contained in contaminated corn will remain in related products, thus harming human and animal health [ 4 , 5 ].…”