FUNGAL DIVERSITY ASSOCIATED WITH PEARL MILLET PENNISETUM GLAUCUM L.) GRAINS FROM TAIZ GOVERNORATE, YEMEN AND THEIR AMYLASE PRODUCTION

Abstract

In Yemen, this is the first record on fungal diversity associated with millet grains. Grain- borne fungi were tested for NaOCl- treated and non- treated samples of millet grain collected from Taiz Governorate, Yemen using direct plate method on Czapek’s (Cz) and Czapek’s supplemented with 40% sucrose (Cz40S) agar media. A total of 48 species belonging to 20 genera were isolated. The highest count and number of genera and species were recorded in non- treated grains on Cz40S medium. This means that the majority of fungi associated with grains were osmotolerant/osmophilic. The highest frequencies were represented by Aspergillus flavus, A. niger aggregate, A. vadensis, Eurotium amstelodami, Pencillium duclauxii and Rhizopus stolonifer. Among 109 isolates screened for their ability to produce amylase enzyme, 81.65% could produce the enzyme, of which Aspergillus homomorphus (a new record in Egypt), Emericella nidulans, Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium griseofulvum were the best producers. Hence, these fungi may cause degradation of cell walls and spoilage of grains. Moreover, it is important to determine which organisms might be associated with seeds and grains in storage causing quality loss through their growth and enzyme production. The early detection of these organisms is required to prevent their harmful effects.