Identification, Characterization and Distribution of Aspergillus and Fusarium Species Isolated from Maize Kernels from Western Part of Kenya.

Abstract

Moulds destroy more than 30% of crop yields and produce potentially poisonous mycotoxins. The most prevalent on foods are Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Rhizopus and Mucor. Kenya has experienced dramatic outbreaks of mycotoxin poisoning resulting in loss of lives. The aim of the study was, to isolate and characterize moulds associated with maize from Lake Victoria Basin (LVB). Thirty samples of unaffected maize and mouldy maize were collected from Trans-nzoia, Kakamega and Kuria districts to determine the mould’s distribution. These areas are in mid altitude agroecological zones with warm and humid conditions which favors development of moulds and mycotoxins. Aspergillus and Fusarium were isolated and identified from these areas. Among the genus Aspergillus, twelve mycotoxigenic species and two atoxigenic species were identified and among the genus Fusarium, fourteen mycotoxigenic species were identified. In all the three districts, the most frequent Aspergillus and Fusarium species on maize were A. flavus at 23.1% and F. proliferatum at 20.3% frequency. The quantity of the moulds from mouldy and good maize was compared using T- test for each of the district but they were not significantly different.

Key words: Mycotoxins, moulds, maize, Aspergillus and Fusarium