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PRODUCTION OF AFLATOXINS IN SUNFLOWER SEEDS AND SEED SUBSTRATE BY SCLEROTIAL AND NON-SCLEROTIAL STRAINS OF ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS

SHAHNAZ DAWAR AND ABDUL GHAFFAR

Abstract: Sclerotial strains of Aspergillus flavus showed greater aflatoxin production as compared to non-sclerotial strains. There was significant correlation with number of sclerotia used for inoculation of sunflower seed substrate and the amount of aflatoxins produced. High seed moisture and high storage temperature favoured the production of aflatoxin in sunflower seeds during storage, whereas low seed moisture (6%) and low storage temperature (4^oC) suppressed mould growth and subsequent aflatoxin production.

Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.