African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 2 (10), pp. 365-368, October 2003

ISSN 1684-5315  © 2003 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Mycoflora and mycotoxins in kolanuts during storage

L. O. ADEBAJO* and O. J. POPOOLA

Department of Biological Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University**, P.M.B. 2002, Ago–Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.

*Correspondence author; E-mail: lawadebajo@yahoo.com.

** Former name: Ogun State University.

Accepted 20 September 2003  

The mycoflora, levels of afllatoxins and the presence of ochratoxin A and zearalenone in nuts of Cola acuminata and C. nitida were determined immediately after curing and after 3, 6 and 9 months of storage in leaf-lined baskets. Five field fungi and 11 storage fungi were isolated. Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium were the predominant genera. None of the target toxins was detected immediately after curing.  Increasing quantities (5 to 160 ppb) of each of the aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁ and G₂ were recorded as from the 3rd month while zearalenone and ochratoxin A were detected only after the 6th and 9th month, respectively.

Key words: Kolaunts, mycoflora, mycotoxins, storage.