Roll Back Mycotoxicosis: An Ethnobotanical Alternative

Abstract

A survey of the incidence of infestation of mycotoxic fungi on some edible seeds and grains was carried out on five major markets in humid South Eastern Nigeria with a view to reducing mycotoxicosis by depopulation of the vectors. Ethnobotanical extracts of Baphia nitida (Papilionaceae) and Kalanchoe pinnata (Crassulaceae) were used in the study. Aqueous and cold absolute ethanolic extracts of the two plants were separately sprinkled on seed samples of Arachis hypogea (Papilionaceae), Irvingia gabonensis, (Irvingiaceae), Physeolus lunatus (Papilionaceae), Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Fabaceae), Vignia ungiculata (Papilionaceae) and grains of Zea mays (Graminae). Seed samples were dusted with aqueous suspensions of pure cultures of Aspergilus flavus, A. oryzae, Fusarium moniliforme and Penicillium species and allowed to dry. The same were dispensed in two sets of four groups and incubated. After 14 days of incubation, both pairs of sets recorded zero growth relative to the control which showed luxuriant growth. Another set of seeds were treated with the extracts, stacked in Bacco sack, kept in a dry compartment in the open laboratory and monitored for 90 days. Seed samples were taken from the sack pool, moistened with sterile distilled water and incubated for 7days. The result also showed zero growth of the test fungi but the seeds sprouted. The relevance of the results to health and agriculture was discussed while recommendations with respect to preservation of post harvest grains and processed food were proffered.Keywords: mycotoxicosis, Baphianitida (Papilionaceae), Irvingia gabonensis, Penicillium speciesNigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 32 [2] September 2011, pp. 277-28