African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12488

Full Length Research Paper

Natural occurrence of aflatoxin, aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus in groundnut seeds across India

Navya H. M., Hariprasad P., Naveen J., Chandranayaka S. and Niranjana S. R.*
Department of Studies in Biotechnology University of Mysore, Manasagangotri Mysore 570 006, Karnataka, India.  
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 17 April 2013
  •  Published: 08 May 2013

Abstract

A survey across different agro-climatic regions of India was done and 38 groundnut seed samples were collected from various sources. Upon analysis, all samples were found infected with Aspergillus flavus ranging from 2 to 50% incidence with aflatoxin content of 0.0 to 28 ppb. Greenhouse studies revealed no correlation between incidence of A. flavus and aflatoxin content on seedling emergence, root length, shoot length and dry weight. Seeds were predominantly contaminated with aflatoxin B1followed by aflatoxin B2. Among the tested A. flavus isolates, 31 were found aflatoxigenic and seven were non-aflatoxigenic when analyzed through cultural, thin layer chromatography, competitive direct enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Present study reveals the current scenario of aflatoxin contamination, and aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic fungal infection in groundnut seeds collected across India.

 

Key words: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Asperg