Prevention of Aflatoxin Contamination in Fenugreek (Jrigonellafoenum graceum) Seeds by Some Organic Acids

A highly toxigenic aflatoxin producing strain of Aspergillus flavus was isolated from fenugreek seeds. Some organic acids viz., propionic acid, benjoic acid, sorbic acid, lauric acid and sodium benzoate have been screened to inhibit mould count and contamination of aflatoxin in fenugreek seeds. The maximum inhibition in mould count and aflatoxin contamination was noted at 0.4% concentration of propionic acid and the minimum inhibition in both parameters was recorded in case of sodium benzoate. The next most effective organic acid was benzoic acid. It completely inhibited aflatoxin B₂ and G_t at the concentration of 0.4% but aflatoxin Bj could be inhibited only up to the extent of 95.70% even at the concentration of 0.5%. However, mould count was totally suppressed at this concentration. More or less similar findings have been recorded for sorbic and lauric acids. These acids completely inhibited aflatoxin B₂ and G_t at 0.4% concentration but aflatoxin B_t was inhibited to the extent of 94.53 and 93.75 percent respectively.