Fungal contamination and mycotoxins associated with sorghum crop: its relevance today

ASTORECA, ANDREA L.; EMATEGUY, LUCIA G.; ALCONADA, TERESA M.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PLANT PATHOLOGY

SPRINGER

Año: 2019 vol. 155 p. 381 - 392

0929-1873

Sorghum grain is the fifth most produced cereal intheworld.Thedietaryingestionofsorghumalong withothercerealsisawaytotakeadvantageofthegrain?s numerous benefits for human health. However, sorghum is nowthreatenedbyseveralfungal diseasesthatreduced crop yields and quality with substantial economic losses. Numerous fungal genera have been associated with the contaminationofsorghumgrainscollectedfromdifferent countries around the world, including the main mycotoxigenic genera. The main fungi that infect sorghum grainsbelong to Aspergillus and Fusarium genera, associated with the production of aflatoxins, fumonisins, zeralenone and deoxynivalenol, being the aflatoxins the main risk in this crop. Sorghum, unlike other cereals, does not yet have legislation that regulates the maximum contentofmycotoxinsingrainsforitscommercialization. Asmycotoxinsinfoodandfeedareoneofthemainfood safety problems worldwide, this work provides an indepth examination into the occurrence of mycoflora and mycotoxins in sorghum. The current data compilation highlights the imperative need for sorghum-producing countries to strengthen surveillance and increase grain inspections to ensure the safety of this crop for human consumption as well as the need to establish regulations for mycotoxins or groups of mycotoxins in sorghum