Characterization of Fungal Contaminants from Wheat and the Speculation of Mycotoxin with Reference to Aflatoxin

Thirty wheat samples procured from storage units in different zones of Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India were processed to isolate the predominant fungal contaminants. Heterogeneous group of fungi were enumerated by standard plate count, among which four predominant organisms namely Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus tamorii, Rhizopus spp. and Fusarium spp. were identified by macroscopic and microscopic observations. Since reputed journal reports, continuously highlight the impact of mycotoxin production in wheat by Aspergillus flavus, the isolate was chosen and processed to examine the production of aflatoxin and further analysis and confirmation was done using Albino rats and analytical techniques such as thin layer chromatography, immunodiffusion and Immunoelectrophoresis. TLC revealed the presence of G2 type of mycotoxin at a concentration of 15 ppb.