title: Utilization of agro-wastes to inhibit aflatoxins synthesis by Aspergillus parasiticus: A biotreatment of three cereals for safe long-term storage.
abstract: The growth of Aspergillus parasiticus and aflatoxins production were inhibited during storage of three important cereals (wheat, maize and rice) using leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica) and kikar (Acacia nilotica). Cereals were inoculated with mould spores and stabilized by neem and kikar leaves-powder. Test samples with moisture levels of 21% were stored at 30°C for a period of 9months. Aflatoxins were quantified at different time intervals in stored cereals. Neem leaves fully inhibited all types of aflatoxins synthesis for 4months in wheat and for 2months in maize while in rice inhibited synthesis of only B2, G1 and G2 aflatoxin for 3months. Kikar leaves fully inhibited aflatoxin B2, G1 and G2 for 3months in wheat, and for 2months in maize. Among two investigated plants, neem leaves were found more effective for preventing the production of all types of aflatoxins in cereals' long-term storage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sultana
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Government College Women University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Naseer
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Life & Health Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK. Electronic address: p.singh@ulster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Poonam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nigam
mesh_terms: D000045:Acacia / Q000737:chemistry*; D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D031601:Azadirachta / Q000737:chemistry*; D002523:Edible Grain; D005506:Food Contamination; D061353:Food Storage; D007220:Industrial Waste; D012275:Oryza / Q000382:microbiology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D014908:Triticum / Q000382:microbiology; D003313:Zea mays / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000348:Aflatoxins; D007220:Industrial Waste
keywords: A. parasiticus; Aflatoxins; Cereals; Kikar; Neem