Impact of Aspergillus section Flavi community structure on the development of lethal levels of aflatoxins in Kenyan maize (Zea mays)

To evaluate the potential role of fungal community structure in predisposing Kenyan maize to severe aflatoxin contamination by contrasting aflatoxin-producing fungi resident in the region with repeated outbreaks of lethal aflatoxicosis to those in regions without a history of aflatoxicosis. Fungi be...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied microbiology 2010-02, Vol.108 (2), p.600-610
Main Authors: Probst, C, Schulthess, F, Cotty, P.J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
aflatoxicosis
aflatoxins
Aflatoxins - analysis
Aflatoxins - poisoning
Aspergillus flavus
Aspergillus flavus - chemistry
Aspergillus flavus - isolation & purification
Biological and medical sciences
community structure
corn
Disease Outbreaks
Food Contamination
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
fungal community structure
fungal diseases of plants
geographical distribution
Kenya
Kenya - epidemiology
Microbiology
risk factors
Soil - analysis
Soil Microbiology
species diversity
Zea mays
Zea mays - chemistry
Zea mays - microbiology
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Summary:To evaluate the potential role of fungal community structure in predisposing Kenyan maize to severe aflatoxin contamination by contrasting aflatoxin-producing fungi resident in the region with repeated outbreaks of lethal aflatoxicosis to those in regions without a history of aflatoxicosis. Fungi belonging to Aspergillus section Flavi were isolated from maize samples from three Kenyan provinces between 2004 and 2006. Frequencies of identified strains and aflatoxin-producing abilities were assessed, and the data were analysed by statistical means. Most aflatoxin-producing fungi belonged to Aspergillus flavus. The two major morphotypes of A. flavus varied greatly between provinces, with the S strain dominant in both soil and maize within aflatoxicosis outbreak regions and the L strain dominant in nonoutbreak regions. Aspergillus community structure is an important factor in the development of aflatoxins in maize in Kenya and, as such, is a major contributor to the development of aflatoxicosis in the Eastern Province. Since 1982, deaths caused by aflatoxin-contaminated maize have repeatedly occurred in the Eastern Province of Kenya. The current study characterized an unusual fungal community structure associated with the lethal contamination events. The results will be helpful in developing aflatoxin management practices to prevent future outbreaks in Kenya.
ISSN:1364-5072
1365-2672
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04458.x