Mycoflora and mycotoxins of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seeds in Egypt. III. Cellulose-decomposing and mycotoxin-producing fungi.

From 40 peanut seed samples collected in Egypt, forty-three species and one variety of fungi, belonging to 16 genera, were collected. The most dominant genera were Aspergillus (11 species + one variety), Penicillium (11 species) and Fusarium (4 species). From the preceding genera A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger, P. chrysogenum and F. oxysporum were the most frequent species. Forty-nine isolates belonging to 12 species and one variety were tested for production of mycotoxins, after growth on liquid medium containing two carbon sources (sucrose or cellulose). Thin layer chromatographic analysis revealed that the quality and quantity of mycotoxins was higher on sucrose than cellulose. Mycotoxins identified were aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 & G2, citrinin; fumagillin; diacetoxyscirpenol T-2 toxin; satratoxin H; and zearalenone.