Mycotoxigenicity of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium Spp. isolated from stored sorghum

Seedborne storage fungi namely Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium were evaluated on the 72 sorghum seed samples collected from different "godowns" of traders in rainy season, winter and summer. Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. fumigatus, A. nidulens, A. versicolor, A. ochraceus, A. parasiticus, Penicillium oxalicum, P. citrinum, P. purpurogenum, P. frequentans, P. chrysogenum, Fusarium verticilloides, F. proliferatum, F. oxysporum and F. semitectum were isolated from sorghum seeds. Mycotoxigenicity of these species was also studied by thin layer chromatography. Retardation factors of different spots relative to griseofulvin (Rfg) were compared with published data and secondary metabolites were identified. Aflatoxin B1, Aflatoxin B2, Ochratoxin A, Citrinin, rubratoxin B, Cyclopiazonic acid, Sterigmatocystin, T-2 toxin, Penicillic acid, Roquefortine C, Mitorubrinic acid, Brefeldin A, Zearalenone, Equisetin, Moniliformin and Fusarin C were produced by different isolates of storage fungi namely Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium species.

Mycotoxigenicity of these storage fungi on sorghum suggests potential hazards. In light of this report, further investigations for these mycotoxins, particularly quantitative estimations directly in the grain samples needs to be undertaken by the researchers, which can play an important role in formulating food safety guidelines.