The mycoflora and some mycotoxins found in acha (Digitaria exilis Stapf) in Plateau State, Nigeria

Mouldy acha (Digitaria exilis) samples were collected at three different periods of the year from some local government areas of Plateau State and were screened for their mycoflora and for seven mycotoxins. Phoma sorghina was the most common contaminant during the cold dry harmattan period (November-February) and during the humid and wet period (June-October). This was followed by Fusarium moniliforme and then by Aspergillus spp. During the hot and dry period (March-May), Aspergillus spp. were the most prevalent fungi, followed by Fusarium spp. and Phoma sorghina in that order. Zearalenone was the most prevalent mycotoxin in mouldy acha samples collected during the cold and dry period, while aflatoxins were the most prevalent in samples collected during the hot and dry period. Zearalenone was only detected in one of the samples collected during the hot, humid and wet period.