Variation in In vitro Fumonisin B1 Production by Different Fusarium verticillioides Isolates in Kenya

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Date
2008
Authors
Alakonya, A. E.
Monda, E. O.
Ajanga, S.
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
IDOSI Publications
Abstract
Several Fusarium verticillioides isolates from different maize growing regions in Kenya were isolated and evaluated for their ability to produce fumonisin B1 (FB1 ) The toxin was quantified using a directly competitive ELISA method. There were differences in the ability of the various isolates to produce FB1 . Six isolates of F. verticillioides from every region produced varying amounts of FB in vitro.The overall mean FB1 level in positive isolates was 1513.3 μg kg-1 of all the isolates used in the study only 26% did not produce detectable levels of FB , whereas 74% produced varying amounts of FB1 between 69 to >5000 μg kg-1. Within every given region there was variation in the ability F. verticillioides isolates to produce FB1. Isolates from Malava, Tongaren and Kakamega showed great variation among themselves. All isolates from Kitale, Tongaren, Kakamega and Embu produced detectable levels of FB1 . This data puts to rest the speculation that F. verticilliodes isolates from Kenya may be low FB1 producers. Kenya and most countries that allow free movement of maize need to reconsider their free domestic movement policy in order to avoid introduction of prolific isolates in otherwise ‘pest free’ areas.
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Keywords
Fusarium verticillioides, Maize, Ear rot, Mycotoxins, ELISA, Kenya
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