Bioresour Technol. 2015 Dec;197:443-50. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.08.113. Epub 2015 Sep 3.

Utilization of agro-wastes to inhibit aflatoxins synthesis by Aspergillus parasiticus: A biotreatment of three cereals for safe long-term storage.

Sultana B1, Naseer R2, Nigam P3.

• 1Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
• 2Department of Chemistry, Government College Women University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
• 3Faculty of Life & Health Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK. Electronic address: p.singh@ulster.ac.uk.

Abstract

The growth of Aspergillus parasiticus and aflatoxins production were inhibited during storage of three important cereals (wheat, maize and rice) using leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica) and kikar (Acacia nilotica). Cereals were inoculated with mould spores and stabilized by neem and kikar leaves-powder. Test samples with moisture levels of 21% were stored at 30°C for a period of 9months. Aflatoxins were quantified at different time intervals in stored cereals. Neem leaves fully inhibited all types of aflatoxins synthesis for 4months in wheat and for 2months in maize while in rice inhibited synthesis of only B2, G1 and G2 aflatoxin for 3months. Kikar leaves fully inhibited aflatoxin B2, G1 and G2 for 3months in wheat, and for 2months in maize. Among two investigated plants, neem leaves were found more effective for preventing the production of all types of aflatoxins in cereals' long-term storage.

Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

KEYWORDS:

A. parasiticus; Aflatoxins; Cereals; Kikar; Neem

PMID:

26356116