Author(s): Jurevic, Z.; Wilson, J. P.; Wilson, D. M.; Casper, H. H.

Correspondence address: Correspondence address, J. P. Wilson, Crop Genetics & Breeding Res. Unit, ARS, USDA, PO Box 748, Tifton, GA 31793-0748, USA. E-mail jeff.wilson@ars.usda.gov

Publication Year: 2007

Mycopathologia 164 (5) 229–239

Refs: 19 ref.

Language(s): English

ISSN: 0301-486X

Pearl millet is increasingly being grown as a premium-value grain for animal feeds in the US, as well as for foods in developing countries. In this study, 3 experiments were conducted to assess fungal development in stored grain. Variables included production year, storage temp., RH and atmosphere, and grain moisture content. In the 1st experiment, grain was stored for 9 wk at 20 or 25°C and maintained at 86 or 91% RH. In the 2nd experiment, grain was stored for 9 wk at 20 or 25°C in either air (aerobic) or N₂ (anaerobic), and maintained at 100% RH. In the 3rd experiment, high-moisture grain was stored for 3 wk at 20 or 25°C and maintained at 100% RH. Grain was sampled at weekly intervals and plated to determine changes in fungal frequency. Fungi isolated included Fusarium chlamydosporum (19% of samples), Curvularia spp. (14%), F. semitectum (16%), Alternaria spp. (9%), Aspergillus flavus (8%), Helminthosporium-type spp. (6%), and F. moniliforme sensu lato (3%). Results showed that year of grain production significantly affected isolation frequency of various fungi. Isolation frequencies from low-moisture grain were rarely affected by temp., RH, or atmosphere treatments; however, storage duration did affect the isolation frequency of some fungi. Changes in isolation of toxigenic fungi occurred in high-moisture grain. Isolation frequency of F. chlamydosporum increased in grain stored at 86 and 91% RH. Incidence of A. flavus increased in high-moisture grain treatments, particularly at 25°C. Incidence of deoxynivalenol was not affected by storage treatment. Low concn. of nivalenol were detected in most grain incubated at 100% RH. Zearalenone was detected only when grain moisture content was 20–22%. Aflatoxin contamination averaged 174 ng/g over all treatments, and increased up to 798 ng/g in high-moisture grain at stored at 25°C.

Section: Cereals and bakery products

Keywords: FOOD SAFETY PLANT FOODS; FUNGI; HUMIDITY; MILLET; MYCOTOXINS; PEARL MILLET; RH; STORAGE; TEMP.; TEMPERATURE

Journal Article

Accession number: 2008-04-Mg0951

Date added: 2-Apr-2008

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