Mycoflora and aflatoxin levels in millet samples from ten markets in Accra

Abstract

The mycoflora of millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L) R. Br.) grains from ten (10) markets in the Greater Accra Region have been examined with the view to identifying the resident mycoflora and potential mycotoxin-producing fungi especially aflatoxin producing species. The mycoflora profile of the resident species varied from one market to another. Millet grains from La market did not harbour any fungi. Eight different fungal species belonging to seven genera (Aspergillus, Aliemaria, Cladosporium, Helminthosporium (=Bipolaris), Paecilomyces, Rhizopus, and Fusarium) were encountered. A. flavus was detected in grains from 80% (8110) of the markets; F. moniliforme 80% (8/10) of the markets. A. flavus constituted 3.3-13.3% of the total mycoflora isolated on Potato Dextrose Agar from the different markets. The moisture content of the millet flour from the ten (10) markets varied from 8.6-12.35 and the germination capacity was variably affected commensurate with the intrinsic mycoflora contamination. Aflatoxin G1 and G2 were not produced by all the strains of A. flavus isolated from the millet grains from all the markets except Nima, which was contaminated by 5.7 ug/kg of aflatoxin G1. Aflatoxin B1 and B2 were detected in all grains except samples from Mallam Atta, Agbogbloshie and La markets. The highest level of total aflatoxin (79.8µg/kg) was obtained from Makola market samples with the least (1.3µg/kg) detected in the millet from Kanashie market. Boiling koko for 10 minutes reduced aflatoxin a. and B2 levels by 42.2% and 83.3% respectively. The same treatment reduced aflatoxin B1 and B2 levels in Tuo zaafi. The practical implications of these findings are discussed and future research work suggested