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Women in Science Mentoring Program (2018)
SG-005: Development of a visual detection microarray-based method for the detection of multiple aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus species
PI: Lilian Kamau-Gatogo, Kenyatta University
Project Dates: October 2019 - November 2021
Project Overview
Aflatoxins are produced by certain fungi, including Aspergillus species, and are found on a variety of crops, including maize. These toxins can lead to acute poisoning and liver damage, and they increase the risk of cancer for those who harvest and consume such crops. This PEER project sought to determine the safety of maize (corn) consumed by Kenyans and their livestock through studying the amount and type of fungal contaminants in maize not processed by commercial millers. The study found that most of the maize sampled in this study was contaminated with aflatoxin-producing fungi and other fungi. This and other findings on contamination are needed for policymakers and agricultural extension officers to advise farmers on best post-harvest practices to ensure safe nutrition and reduce maize grain losses due to contamination, thus improving food security.
Final Summary of Project Activities
The PI and her team took samples of surface-sterilized maize seeds from Embu, Kitui, Murang’a, and Nakuru counties in Kenya and plated them in potato dextrose agar to determine fungal contamination. They observed that 223 of the 288 kernels showed fungal growth. The percentage of fungal contamination in the maize seeds was highest in Embu, showing 86% contamination, and lowest in the Nakuru samples at 73%.
The PEER team grouped the fungal isolates into Aspergillus and non-Aspergillus species. Non-Aspergillus isolates largely consisted of Fusarium, Trichoderma, Talaromyces, Trimorphomyces, and Schizophyllum, among others. The Aspergillus isolates groups included Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus tubingensis, and Aspergillus tamari.
The highest number of Aspergillus species (11) was detected in maize seeds from Nakuru County, while the lowest number was detected in maize from Embu County. Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger formed the bulk of Aspergillus species recovered from the maize seeds. The results indicate a high diversity of potentially harmful microorganisms in maize seed food products in Kenya, but the level of aflatoxins produced differed among the species studied.
In addition to pursuing the research objectives of the project, the PI mentored several young scientists, including supporting the research projects of four graduate students. In addition, she was accepted into Women Researchers of Kenya (WERK) and served as a Kenya Bureau of Standards technical committee member and as a conference abstract reviewer.
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