Pathological effects of covered smut infected wheat in albino mice

Abstract EN

-One hundred kg infected wheat, Triticum astivium were collected from infected fields in Jalaola in Iraq during winter (2007-2008).

The infected plants were characterized according to its fishy odor and the ratio of bunt balls.

The fishy odor referred to the infection by common bunt spores which produce trimethylamine.

The ratio of bunt balls was found to be more than 30 bunt balls in 250g, therefore it designated as " smutty ".

The spores which were taken from the infected grains found that they were Tilletia careis and Tilletia foetida species.

The presence of trimethylamine in aqueous extract of infected grains was determined by using different chromatography techniques, which confirmed the presence of trimethylamine.

Forty albino mice were used for studying the pathological changes.

These animals were divided equally into 2 groups 20 mice were fed for 90 days infected wheat pellets administrated orally.

The pathological changes were recorded at periods 20, 40, 60, and 90 days respectively.

The 2nd group considered as control group which fed pellets without infected wheat.

The pathological changes appeared during 20, 40, 60 and 90 days in liver, kidney and spleen but pathological changes in heart occurred after 60 days of administration and after 40 days in lungs whereas in intestines occurred after 20days of administration.

Liver and spleen were showed enlargement with acute cellular degeneration and multifocal granulomatous changes.

In conclusion, common bunt infected wheat is harmful and causing tissues damage.