Mycoflora Association and Contamination with Aflatoxins in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Seeds

The study aimed to identify sunflower seed- borne fungi associated with sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), and also to explain the effect of environmental factors on increasing or decreasing the levels of aflatoxins in sunflower seeds. Seeds were collected from two governorates from season 2009. The sunflower seed- borne fungi was screened by using blotter and agar plate methods in two cultivars seeds. Fungi associated with sunflower seeds under different storage temperature degrees for different periods were determined using blotter and agar methods. It was found that sunflower seeds contained different fungal genera in both Sakha. 53 and Giza. 102 sunflower cultivars studied. The main species (spp.) found were Aspergillus flavus at the highest frequency, followed by Alternaria alternata and then Penicillium spp, Drechlera spp were found at the lowest frequency. A positive correlation between frequency of fungal infection, storage period and temperature was found. The presence of aflatoxin was determined in contaminated sunflower seeds using flow through strips and Vicam immunoaffinity column methods. The effect of environmental factors plays an important role on increasing or decreasing the levels of aflatoxins in sunflower seeds.