Isolation and characterization of toxicogenic fungi strains from wheat and corn used in Kerman city

Mycotoxins are the secondary metabolites produced by Penicillium, Fusarium, and Aspergillus species. These metabolites are mainly produced by Aspergillus species. This study was aimed to isolation and characterization of the toxicogenic fungi strains from mostly consumed cereals (wheat, corn) used in Kerman city. This empirical basic study was carried out on 83 samples of wheat and corn collected from formal preservation units. Screening was conducted using sabouraud dextrose agar, sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and PDA mediums. The isolated strains were identified according to morphologic characters. The presence of mycotoxins of pathogenic fungi was determined by HPLC. Overall, 37% of samples were infected with Aspergillus and A. flavus (14%) was the most frequent fungi. Also aflatoxins B1, B2 and G1 were isolated from Aspergillus using HPLC. Our results indicated the presence of toxigenic fungi on the mostly consumed cereals (wheat and corn). Therefore, a program must be planned to control the fungi on the cereals.