Determination of toxigenic potential of Fusarium species occurring on sorghum and maize grains produced in Karnataka, India by using Thin Layer Chromatography

In the present study, the fumonisin producing ability of Fusarium species from different geographic regions of Karnataka was investigated. Sorghum and maize samples were examined for the presence of mycotoxigenic Fusarium species and their efficacy to produce fumonisins on maize patties. Mycological studies confirmed the occurrence of toxigenic Fusarium species such as F. verticillioides (18), F. proliferatum (2) and F. anthophilum (2) isolates. Efficacy to produce fumonisins on maize patties was carried out by using thin-layer chromatography. Fumonisin B1 and B2 were detected as a red-purple spots with an Rf value of 6.1 and 6.3 respectively. The TLC analysis showed that 17 of 18 F. verticillioides isolates, 02 of 02 F. proliferatum isolates and 01 of 02 F. anthophilum isolates produced fumonisins. On the chromatograms, identical colored spots for standards and samples with same Rf value were detected. Early detection of toxigenic Fusarium species is the urgent need of the hour to prevent the entry of these toxic substances into the food chains.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v6i1.5883