ABSTRACT
The effects of successive solvent extracts [petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone and methanol] obtained from fenugreek seeds on the production of Aflatoxins [AF[s]] by Aspergillus parasiticus grown on a ground yellow corn were studied. Acetone extract led to 94.01 percent inhibition of AF[s] production at 500 ppm level, and a complete inhibition was attained when acetone extract was used at the level of 2000 ppm. Chloroform extract, at level 500 ppm, reduced AF[s]production by 39.85 percent, while petroleum ether extract caused 9.0 percent inhibition at the same level. However, petroleum ether extract was more effective than chloroform extract when applied to the medium at high concentration [2000 ppm and 5000 ppm]. The AF[s] production by A. parasiticus was not affected by using methanol extract up to 5000 ppm. It seems that acetone soluble fraction contained substances which had an inhibitory effect on the biosynthesis of AFS. The photochemical screening data of the extracts obtained from fenugreek seeds indicated that acetone extracts contained mainly high levels of flavonoids compared to the other solvent extracts. Hence, acetone extract of fenugreek seeds might be used to control toxin production in such stored grains