Surveillance of Mycotoxin contamination and Production of Aflatoxin by A. flavus in Contaminated Maize Seeds in Bihar

Aflatoxin- producing fungi like Aspergillus flavus contaminate maize crops in the agricultural field at harvest, post- harvest, and during storage making them one of the most widespread and dangerous mycotoxins. It has been directly correlated to adverse health effects, such as liver cancer in many animal species as well as plant systems.

Maize samples were collected from seven districts of Bihar viz, Begusari, East Champaran, Khagaria, Bhagalpur, Saharsa, Madhepura, and Samastipur. The collected sample was examined for associated mycoflora and aflatoxin-producing prospective of Aspergillus flavus. It was determined that A. flavus was of presiding occurrence accompanied by Penicillium spp., Fusarium, A. nigar, Rhizopus, Trichoderma, Mucor and A. ochraceus. 119 strains of the total A. flavus isolates were toxigenic, producing aflatoxin B1, B2, and G1. The highest Aflatoxin is all probability due to complementary environmental conditions, undeveloped agricultural practices, poor storage circumstances of grains, and because of yearly flood problems in this region.