VOLATILE ANTIFUNGAL COMPOUNDS IN MAIZE KERNELS - EFFECT OF EAR POSITION ON AFLATOXIN PRODUCTION

Volatiles produced by ground maize kernels from 3 zonal areas of Pione er Hybrid 3136 maize ear inhibited the growth of aflatoxigenic Aspergi llus flavus and, therefore, production of aflatoxin B-1 in a static cu lture bioassay. Volatiles from kernels obtained from the medial zonal area of the maize ear resulted in 75% mean inhibition of A. flavus rad ial growth and 76% mean inhibition of aflatoxin contamination. Volatil es from kernels obtained from the apical zone resulted in 19% mean inh ibition of radial growth and 33% mean inhibition of aflatoxin contamin ation, Volatiles from kernels obtained from the basal zone resulted in 23% mean inhibition of radial growth and 37% mean inhibition of aflat oxin contamination. Volatiles were purged on Tenax columns and analyze d by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry Compounds highly toxic to A. flavus, such as C-4-C-6 aldehydes, benzothiazole, methyl jasmonates, and 2-furancarboxaldehydes, were found mostly in volatiles from kernel s obtained from the medial zone, These results demonstrate a relations hip between volatile fungitoxic compounds from kernels obtained from d ifferent zonal areas and aflatoxin contamination.