Assessment of mycotoxin presence and distribution in maize grains across North central states of Nigeria

Authors

  • Eno Chongs Mantu
    Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Federal University of Lafia, Nigeria
  • Olukayode Olugbenga Orole
    Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Aleruchi Chuku
    Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Femi Gbadeyan
    Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Tosin Okunade
    Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Grains, Fungi, Mycotoxins, LC-MS, Hygiene, Prevalence

Abstract

This research identified the prevalent fungal species and determined the concentration and distribution of mycotoxins in maize grains consumed in the North-central states of Nigeria. Six hundred composite samples were collected and screened for fungal contamination. The fumonisins, aflatoxins, ochratoxin, trichothecenes, and zearalenone concentrations were quantified in the samples using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Kogi State had the highest concentration of fumonisin B1 (FB1) (755.7±56.7 µg/kg), Deoxynivalenol (DON) (1211 µg/kg), zearalenone (ZEA) (313 µg/kg) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) (7.5±1.6 µg/kg) and B2 (1.6±0.3 µg/kg) respectively. Ochratoxin A (OTA) value in Benue State (3.2±0.7 µg/kg) exceeded the European Union (EU) recommended amount of 3 µg/kg, while AFB1 concentrations in Kogi State (7.5±1.6 µg/kg) and Benue State (6.8±1.4 µg/kg) exceeded the EU and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) recommended amount of 2 µg/kg and 4 µg/kg respectively. Trichothecenes concentrations were all low compared to the EU-recommended amount in maize grains meant for the table.

Dimensions

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Mean concentration of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in maize samples from North Central Nigeria (AFB1 - Aflatoxin B1, AFB2 – Aflatoxin B2; OTA – Ochratoxin A; Error bars indicate standard error of mean (n=10)).

Published

2025-12-29

How to Cite

Assessment of mycotoxin presence and distribution in maize grains across North central states of Nigeria. (2025). African Scientific Reports, 4(3), 370. https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2025.4.3.370

Issue

Volume 4, Issue 3, December 2025

Section

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES SECTION
Copyright & Licensing

Copyright (c) 2025 Eno Chongs Mantu, Olukayode Olugbenga Orole, Aleruchi Chuku, Femi Gbadeyan, Tosin Okunade

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Assessment of mycotoxin presence and distribution in maize grains across North central states of Nigeria. (2025). African Scientific Reports, 4(3), 370. https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2025.4.3.370

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