Aflatoxin control in maize by Trametes versicolor

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Mycology
• Food Safety

Background:

• Aspergillus flavus contaminates food and feed commodities, producing hazardous aflatoxins.
• Aflatoxins pose significant risks to animal and human health.
• There is a growing demand for environmentally friendly methods to control aflatoxin production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of the basidiomycete Trametes versicolor to inhibit aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus.
• To evaluate T. versicolor as a sustainable tool for enhancing the quality and safety of animal feed.
• To improve the wellbeing of dairy cows through safer feedstuffs.

Main Methods:

• In vitro and in-maize experiments were conducted to assess the effect of T. versicolor on A. flavus.
• T. versicolor was grown on sugar beet pulp.
• Culture filtrates of T. versicolor, rich in ligninolytic enzymes, were used to treat contaminated maize.

Main Results:

• The presence of T. versicolor significantly inhibited the production of aflatoxin B1 by A. flavus in maize.
• Treatment with T. versicolor culture filtrates containing ligninolytic enzymes led to a substantial reduction in aflatoxin B1 levels in contaminated maize.

Conclusions:

• Trametes versicolor demonstrates potential as an environmentally friendly biological control agent against aflatoxin contamination in maize.
• This approach can contribute to producing safer feedstuffs, enhancing dairy cow wellbeing.
• Ligninolytic enzymes from T. versicolor show promise in degrading aflatoxins.