Seed mycoflora of Lens esculenta and their biocontrol by chitosan

Thirty-two fungal species belonging to 17 genera were recorded on 45 seed samples of lentil (Lens esculenta) collected from different governorates in Egypt. The prevalent genera were Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium and Penicillium. Chitosan enhanced suppression of seedborne mycoflora, as estimated using either agar plates or a blotter test of lentil seed samples. These results suggested an alternative non-toxic means for controlling seedborne fungi. Furthermore, pretreatment of lentil seeds with chitosan significantly reduced the natural contamination with mycotoxins - aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, citrinin and zearalenone - under storage conditions for 6 months.