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Aflatoxin in mould infested sesame seeds


MC Mbah
CO Akueshi

Abstract

Experiments were carried out with two species of seeds of sesame (Benniseed) (Sesamum indicum Link, and Sesamum radiatum Schumach) inoculated with a storage fungus (Aspergillus flavus)
previously isolated from seeds of sesame The inoculated seeds were incubated for 10, 15 and 20 day intervals at 30°C. Results showed that S. indicum inoculated with the test fungus A. flavus and
incubated for a period of 20 days showed the presence of aflatoxin B1 estimated to be 25 ppb. While seeds of S. rediatum inoculated with the same test fungus and inculcated for the same length of time
did not show any presence of aflatoxin. All the seeds of the two species of sesamum inoculated with the test fungus and incubated for 10 and 15 day intervals showed no presence of aflatoxin. The results portray the danger of consuming infested seeds of sesame which usually appear uninfested to a casual observer when A. flavus grows on them and the inherent danger of using such seeds for livestock feed.

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eISSN: 1684-5315