Assessment of Andrographis paniculata Plant Extracts to Reduce Mycotoxin Contamination in Maize Seeds

Environmental factors like soil, temperature, and pH influence the level of contamination in cereals.In this study fungi such as Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp.and Fusarium spp.were recorded in all the samples of maize seeds.The range of kernel infection recorded by A. flavus was a maximum of 8.40% and a minimum of 4.20%.The production of aflatoxin B 1 in maize seeds was estimated in the range of 2.0 -8.2 g/ml.The inhibition of aflatoxin B 1 recorded was a maximum of 32.5% and a minimum of 8.5% in SMKY liquid media at 2.5 gm/ml and 0.5 gm/ml concentrations of Andrographis paniculata plant extracts, respectively.Similarly, the growth of A. flavus recorded was 47% (maximum) and 10% (minimum).The mycelial growth of A. flavus and Aflatoxin B 1 production were controlled by A. paniculata, whichis essential for the quality and quantity yield of maize seeds due to high population demands in our country