Levels of Deoxynivalenol and Aflatoxin Mycotoxins in Grains in Some Markets of Makurdi Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

This study aimed to estimate deoxynivalenol (DON) and total aflatoxin in two varieties of millet, sorghum and maize, in some markets of Makurdi metropolis, North-Central, Nigeria using direct competitive Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Moisture content, total aerobic microbial count, mould count, Coliform and Escherichia coli were determined using standard analytical methods. Moisture content profile of 9.5032 to 12.9940% (sorghum), 9.5932 to 12.3604% (maize) and 9.0279 to 12.4108% (millet) was considered relatively high. Proliferation of total aerobic microbial count was observed in the samples across the sampling points. Mycotoxins under study were detected in all samples across the sampling points. Whereas total aflatoxins were within permissible limits, DON exceeded thresholds. It was also observed that, these grains were more susceptible to the fungus Fusarium species producer of DON than the producer of aflatoxin, thus susceptibility of the grains to fungus producer of DON was in the order: sorghum > maize > millet, whereas the susceptibility against the fungus producer or producers of total aflatoxin level was in the order: sorghum > millet > maize respectively. This in general, indicated microbial contamination of these cereals in the study location indicting farmers and marketers of poor hygienic handling and processing of the grains. Pearson’s 2-tailed correlation at 0.05 level of significance revealed strong correlation of deoxynivalenol with moisture content of grains across locations.