Alfred Mitema
University of Cape Town
South Africa
Title: Advanced metabolomics strategies and rapid screening for aflatoxigenic and atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus isolates from Kenya for the ability to produce aflatoxins
Biography
Biography: Alfred Mitema
Abstract
Food spoilage and poisoning pathogens lead to pre and post harvest losses of crop produce and feed stuff leading to food insecurity and safety worldwide. Aflatoxins are fungal toxins derived from some strains of Aspergillus flavus. Kenya has experienced worst outbreak of aflatoxin poisoning where 317 cases and 215 deaths reported. This problem appears endemic to certain Kenyan regions as every year cases are reported. Maize kernels were collected from four counties, surface sterilized, plated on potato dextrose and coconut cream agar (CAM). Single-spored A. flavus isolates were identified phenotypically, screened for mycotoxin production and findings validated through advanced metabolomic fingerprinting approaches (TLC, HPLC and LC-MS/MS). Mycotoxin detection by CAM revealed that out of 37 isolates screened under UV light (365 nm) fluoresced blue (57%, n=21) and (43%, n=16) green. Makueni, Nandi, Kisumu and Homa Bay counties (78%, n=7; 33%, n=3; 67%, n=6 and 50%, n=5) fluoresced blue whereas (22%, n=2; 67%, n=6; 33%, n=3; and 50%, n=5) fluoresced green respectively. From our findings, we concluded that strains from Makueni (78%, n=7) might be producers of aflatoxin AFB1, AFB2, the most potent mycotoxins as compared to other counties. This could be so far a reason why there is high risk of constant aflatoxicosis in Makueni as compared to other three counties