FUNGI AND AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATIONS IN SOME SPICES SOLD IN SELECTED MARKETS IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA
FUNGI AND AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATIONS IN SOME SPICES SOLD IN SELECTED MARKETS IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2015-08
Authors
HARUNA, MUSTAPHA
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Abstract
Dried, raw, powdered and processed samples of fourteen different spices were randomly collected from five markets in Katsina state, Nigeria. The markets were Yar‟kutungu, Tsohuwar kasuwa and Katsina central market in Katsina metropolis (Sudan savanna), Funtua and Kafur markets (Northern guinea savanna). The spices were Clove, African nutmeg, Ashanti pepper, Candlewood, Ethiopian pepper, Pineapple of the bush, Ginger, Garlic, Chillies, Thyme, “Yaji”, Curry and Dadawa which were selected based on availability and usage popularity. Agar plate method and Standard Dilution method were used in studying fungi. Samples were cultured on PDA supplemented with chloronphenicol and later sub-cultured and identified according to morphological and microscopic characteristics using standard identification keys. Seven different fungal genera and 12 species were isolated and identified as Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus versicolor, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus, Phoma glomerata, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium citrinum, Nigrospora sphaerica, Rhizoctonia sp, and Mucor hiemalis. A. flavus and A. parasiticus were most dominant. Aflatoxin Assay was carried out using ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) technique. AgraQuant Total Aflatoxin Assay test kit and Mycosep immuno affinity columns were used for aflatoxin assay. Thirty three (47.1 %) out of seventy (70) samples analysed were contaminated by aflatoxin in the range of 0.1->20 μg/kg, some above EU and NAFDAC limits while 37 (52.9 %) samples tested negative for aflatoxin contamination. Spices from the five markets were contaminated by different fungi and 33 samples contained aflatoxin. Monitoring of aflatoxin contamination by regulatory agencies is recommended.
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A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN BOTANY. DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, FACULTY OF SCIENCE, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA NIGERIA
Keywords
FUNGI,, AFLATOXIN,, CONTAMINATIONS,, SPICES,, SOLD,, MARKETS,, KATSINA STATE,, NIGERIA