PROTEIN PROFILES AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF KERNEL EXTRACTS FROM CORN GENOTYPES RESISTANT AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO ASPERGILLUS-FLAVUS

Mechanisms of resistance to infection by the fungus Aspergillus flavus and accumulation of aflatoxin were studied in kernels of resistant (G T-MAS:gk, Mp420) and susceptible (Pioneer 3154, Deltapine G-4666) corn genotypes. Proteins from kernel extracts of corn genotypes were analy zed by several methods of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Consiste nt differences in protein profiles were detected among genotypes. Seve ral proteins were unique to or present in greater concentration in res istant genotypes, whereas others were present only in susceptible geno types. Extracts of resistant kernels showed markedly greater antifunga l activity against A. flavus than did susceptible kernel extracts. Res ults from the present study suggest a role for kernel proteins in resi stance to A. flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination in corn geno types GT-MAS:gk and Mp420.