Reducing Aflatoxin Accumulation in Maize: Development and Performance of a Novel Biological Input

Abstract

Aflatoxin contamination of maize by Aspergillus section Flavi constitutes a major healthand economic concern. While biological control using non-toxigenic strains has proveneffective, the increasing global food demand underscores the need for alternative carriermaterials to replace seeds and grains. The aims of the present study were (1) to develop aninnovative macroporous starch polymer in which the biocontrol agent can grow and betransported to fields where the bioformulate is applied, and (2) to evaluate the effectivenessof this new formulate in reducing AF contamination in maize kernels in field trials, incomparison with the traditional formulate based on long-grain rice as a substrate. Severalmethods and different starch sources were tested, and the formulation consisting of 10%maize starch, 0.5% citric acid, 3% sucrose, 0.3% urea, and distilled water was the mosteffective. Furthermore, this bioformulate demonstrated a performance comparable to thatof the traditional long-grain rice-based formulation, reducing AF accumulation by up to81% in maize kernels under field conditions. The implementation of this macroporousstarch polymer-based formulation, in combination with the biological control agent A.flavus AFCHG2, would not only reduce aflatoxin contamination in maize kernels but alsominimise the use of food-grade seeds and grains for industrial purposes, thereby preservingtheir availability for human and animal nutrition. Consequently, this development couldenhance the availability of these substrates for food and feed use, thereby contributing toimproved safety and food security.