Abstract
Maize ( Zea mays L. ) is a staple crop in Nigeria, playing a crucial role in ensuring national food security. However, it is highly susceptible to fungal contamination and mycotoxin production, which pose serious health risks. Despite increasing concern, data remain limited on mycotoxin contamination in maize from North-West Nigeria. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of major mycotoxins and to characterize aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus section Flavi isolates associated with stored maize in this region. A total of 21 maize samples were collected from major grain markets across seven states: Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara. Fungal contamination and mycotoxin levels were evaluated using culture-based techniques and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, with aflatoxin levels in highly contaminated samples confirmed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The predominant fungi belonged to the Aspergillus section Flavi , followed by the Aspergillus sections Aspergillus and Nigri , and Rhizopus spp. Total aflatoxins were present in 80.9% (n=17) of the samples, with 42.8% (n=9) exceeding Nigeria’s regulatory limit of 4 µg/kg and 28.6% (n=6) surpassing the European Union (EU) maximum limit of 10 µg/kg. Fumonisins were present in 85.7% of samples, although all concentrations were below the EU maximum limit of 4,000 µg/kg. Ochratoxin A was identified in 61.9% of the samples, albeit at low concentrations in several cases. The analysis of the Aspergillus section Flavi isolates revealed that 50% were aflatoxigenic. All toxigenic isolates were identified as A. flavus , while the non-toxigenic strains were A. oryzae and A. tamarii . These findings highlight widespread contamination of maize in North-West Nigeria by aflatoxins and aflatoxigenic fungi, raising public health concerns. Future efforts should prioritize improving pre- and post-harvest practices, strengthening regulations, and implementing regular monitoring to mitigate mycotoxin contamination.
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Claims 10
Claim · model-written summary
Aspergillus section Flavi predominated among fungi associated with stored maize.
Zea maysOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“The predominant fungi belonged to the Aspergillus section Flavi , followed by the Aspergillus sections Aspergillus and Nigri , and Rhizopus spp.”
e1“associated with stored maize”
Claim · model-written summary
Total aflatoxins occurred in 80.9% of maize samples.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Total aflatoxins were present in 80.9% (n=17) of the samples”
e1“maize samples”
Claim · model-written summary
Aflatoxins exceeded the Nigerian limit in 42.8% of maize samples.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“42.8% (n=9) exceeding Nigeria’s regulatory limit of 4 µg/kg”
e1“maize samples”
Claim · model-written summary
Aflatoxins exceeded the EU limit in 28.6% of maize samples.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“28.6% (n=6) surpassing the European Union (EU) maximum limit of 10 µg/kg”
e1“maize samples”
Claim · model-written summary
Fumonisins occurred in 85.7% of maize samples, all below the EU maximum limit.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Fumonisins were present in 85.7% of samples, although all concentrations were below the EU maximum limit of 4,000 µg/kg”
e1“maize samples”
Claim · model-written summary
Ochratoxin A was found in 61.9% of maize samples.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Ochratoxin A was identified in 61.9% of the samples”
e1“maize samples”
Claim · model-written summary
Half of Aspergillus section Flavi isolates were aflatoxigenic.
Verbatim
e0“50% were aflatoxigenic”
e1“The analysis of the Aspergillus section Flavi isolates revealed”
Claim · model-written summary
All toxigenic isolates were A. flavus.
- Taxon
- A. flavus
Aspergillus flavuse0 - Outcome
- toxigenic isolatese0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“All toxigenic isolates were identified as A. flavus”
Claim · model-written summary
Non-toxigenic strains were A. oryzae and A. tamarii.
- Taxon
- A. oryzae and A. tamarii
.jpg?width=60)
Aspergillus oryzae
Aspergillus tamariie0 - Outcome
- non-toxigenic strainse0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
.jpg?width=500)
Verbatim
e0“the non-toxigenic strains were A. oryzae and A. tamarii”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors recommend improved pre- and post-harvest practices, regulation and monitoring to reduce mycotoxin contamination.
- Outcome
- improving pre- and post-harvest practices, strengthening regulations, and implementing regular monitoringe0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Future efforts should prioritize improving pre- and post-harvest practices, strengthening regulations, and implementing regular monitoring to mitigate mycotoxin contamination”
e1“stored maize”