Isolation, Identification, and Comparison of Microfungi on Stored Commercial Wheat and Einkorn Wheat in İhsangazi District of Kastamonu

This study was conducted to investigate and compare fungal contamination in stored einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcum L.) and commercial wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) samples obtained from İhsangazi district of Kastamonu province following the 2022 harvest period. Twenty samples from each wheat type were analyzed using the dilution plating method on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and culture-based morphological methods were used to identify the isolates. As a result of the analyses, 22 different mold species belonging to 10 genera were isolated in einkorn wheat, and 28 different mold species belonging to 11 genera in commercial wheat. The dominant genera were Penicillium, Mucor, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium, with the highest species diversity in both wheat types belonging to the genus Penicillium. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests showed statistically significant differences in the distribution of some mold species according to wheat types (p < .05). Specifically, Mucor racemosus and Cladosporium cucumerinum were detected only in einkorn wheat. In contrast, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. glabrum, P. aurantiogriseum and Rhizopus arrhizus were detected at higher frequencies in commercial wheat. The Penicillium genus was isolated in 100% commercial wheat samples (321 colonies) and 50% einkorn wheat samples (55 colonies). The findings suggest commercial wheat provides a more suitable substrate for mycotoxigenic molds. These fungi are potentially associated with the production of major mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, and fumonisins. In contrast, due to its dense husks and traditional production conditions, einkorn wheat poses a lower risk of contamination. These data highlight the importance of postharvest hygiene and demonstrate the advantages of einkorn wheat in terms of microbial food safety.