Diversity and toxigenic potential of Aspergillus section Flavi strains associated with maize and its main by-products in northern Côte d'Ivoire.

Maize is a staple food in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and is very often prone to contamination by mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxins, which are known for their harmful effects on human and animal health. This study aimed to investigate the diversity and toxigenic potential of Aspergillus section Flavi strains associated with maize and its main by-products in the Korhogo region of northern Côte d'Ivoire. A total of 50 samples were collected, including 10 maize ears, 22 stored grains, 8 cracked maize and 10 maize flours. The analysis was carried out using a polyphasic approach comprising morphological and molecular characterisation, and aflatoxin production. A total of 151 isolates were recovered including genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium and Rhizopus. Six Aspergillus species were identified: A. flavus (64 strains), A. niger (17 strains), A. tamarii (6 strains), A. luchuensis (6 strains), A. fumigatus (4 strains), and A. aflatoxiformans (1 strain). Aspergillus flavus was the most represented in the section Flavi, accounting for 90.1% of the strains, followed by A. tamarii (8.5%) and A. aflatoxiformans (1.4%). Among the A. flavus strains, 67.2% were aflatoxigenic, producing aflatoxins B, whereas 32.8% were non-aflatoxigenic. The A. aflatoxiformans strain produced aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and aflatoxin G1 (AFG1). The A. tamarii isolates were non-aflatoxigenic. These findings provide valuable insights into the ecology and toxigenic profiles of Aspergillus section Flavi in maize-based systems and contribute to the scientific basis for developing targeted strategies to improve food safety in the region.