The College of Science at the University of Basrah discussed the study of the fungal community of stored local wheat grain, bran and flour and the ability of some Aspergillus flavus isolates to produce aflatoxin.
The thesis of the researcher, Wasan Fouad Fadel, included isolating the fungi accompanying the local grains, flour and bran of wheat in southern Iraq (Basra, Dhi Qar, Maysan) and diagnosing them morphologically and molecularly.
The study concluded that the fungi diagnosed in whole grains and bran were higher compared to flour, which indicates that the process of peeling and grinding grains leads to a reduction in the levels of potential contamination in the final product (flour).
The study recommended the importance of health education on the subject of mycotoxins by the Ministry of Health and scientific institutions because of its risks to human and animal health alike.
