Fusarium pallidoroseum in maize samples of three agro-ecological zones of Cameroon

Investigations were conducted to determine the presence of mycotoxigenic fungi in maize samples from Cameroon. The deep freezing blotter method, and the medium DG-18, with and without 1% sodium hypochlorite surface sterilization pre-treatment, were used. The plated grains were incubated for 7 days under a cycle of 12 It (NUV) daylight and 12 It darkness. Fusarium pallidoroseum was found infecting 1-2% of the tested grains. Eleven samples out of 65 tested were found infected, 2 samples from the locality of Melong in the humid forest agro-ecological zone with monomodal rainfall, 1 from Foumbot and 2 from Bamenda in the highlands agro-ecological zone, and 6 from Yaounde, in the humid forest with bimodal rainfall agro-ecological zone. An infection rate of 2% of the grains was found on blotter paper while only 1% was recorded on the reduced water activity medium DG-18, with or without surface sterilization. F pallidoroseum is reported here for the first time from maize samples of Cameroon. This underlines the need for detailed research on toxigenic fungi and the improvement of common storage practices to avoid mycotoxin contamination and the resulting human and animal health problems. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.