Exploration of aflatoxigenic potential and seed colonization of Aspergillus flavus in sunflower

Aflatoxin, a mycotoxin found commonly in maize, peanuts, and sunflower worldwide, is associated with liver cancer, acute toxicosis, and growth impairment in humans and animals. In India, sunflower seeds are a source of snacks, cooking oil, and animal feed. These seeds are a potential source of aflatoxin contamination. However, reports on aflatoxin contamination in sunflower seeds and cakes are scarce. The objective of the current study was to determine the potential of Aspergillus flavus and total aflatoxin concentrations in sunflower seeds and cakes from small-scale oil processors in Rohilkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. 126 cultures of Aspergillus flavus were obtained from sunflower kernels, which showed wide variation in their cultural characters. Colour of conidial heads being a stable character was used to divide them into four groups out of which two representative isolates each, based on minimum and maximum number of sclerotia cm^-2 of the culture medium were selected. Aflatoxin production by an isolate had positive correlation with the sclerotia production. These results can help in identifying the potent of A. flavus isolates for aflatoxin production and developing proper management strategies. In summary, humans and animals are potentially at high risk of exposure to aflatoxins through sunflower seeds and cakes from micro-scale millers in India and location influences risk.