Fungal Contamination of Locally Processed Nigerian Food (Okpa): A Threat to Public Health
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Microbiology - Year 2017, Vol 4, Issue 1
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the level of contamination associated with locally processed Vignea subterranea (okpa) flour in Nigeria. Study Design: The completely randomized experimental design was adopted for this study. Place and Duration of Study: The staff laboratory in University of Calabar Cross River State Nigeria was used for this research, within the space of two months. Methodology: Standard microbiological research methods were adopted for the culture, isolation and identification of fungi. Spore heads and hyphae growth were compared with standard mycological atlas. Results: Locally processed Vigna subterranea from South Eastern Nigeria markets and mills were analyzed for level of fungal contamination. Aspergillus niger, Trychophyton spp, Penicillium spp, Rhizopus nigrican, Chrysosporium spp, Geotrichum spp, Mucor spp and Syncephalastrum spp were identified at a percentage occurrence of 20.6, 5.6, 17.7, 20.6, 8.8, 2.9, 20.6 and 2.9 respectively. The Mean (x) percentage growth of fungal species was 12.46, a standard deviation (δ) of 8.19 and Variance (S.D)² of 67.08. Conclusion: Locally processed V. subterranea in Nigeria can pose harm to the consumers of the food due to poor hygienic practice, unethical conduct and production inefficiency by food processors and handlers. Deliberate efforts must be made to curb the chances of contamination by microorganism especially fungi that may likely pose some level of resistance to heat.
Authors and Affiliations
P. T. Nnaji, A. P. Rao
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP338117
- DOI 10.9734/JAMB/2017/33007
- Views 126
- Downloads 0
Physicochemical Analysis and Microbiological Assessment of Tannery Effluent Discharged from Tanneries around Nigeria’s Kano Industrial Estates
Aims: Research study on physicochemical analysis and microbiological assessment of tannery effluent discharged from tanneries around Nigeria’s Kano industrial estate was carried out. Duration of Study: The study was co...
Inhibitory Properties of Lactic Acid Bacteria against Moulds Associated with Spoilage of Bakery Products
Aim: To evaluate the potentiality of LAB strains isolated from different fermented products to inhibit moulds associated with spoilage of bakery products. Methodology: Lactic acid bacterial (LAB) strains obtained from fe...
Evaluation of Resistance Pattern and Plasmid Profile of Staphylococcus Species Isolated from Clinical and Community Samples in Ibadan South-West, Nigeria
Aims: Staphylococcus species have been a major human pathogen of public health importance globally. This study was designed to evaluate the resistance pattern and plasmid profile of Staphylococcus species isolated from c...
Antibacterial Activity of Boswellia dalzielii Leaves Extracts against Some Pathogenic Bacterial Isolates
Aim: The study was conducted to investigate the antibacterial activity of Boswllia dalzielii leaves extracts and its major phytochemical constituents. Materials and Methods: The aqueous, methanol and chloroform extracts...
Bioefficacy Test of Different Chemotherapeutic Substances against Aspergillus sp. and Chrysosporium sp. Contaminants of Tissue-Cultured Abaca (Musa textiles NEE.) during Initial Stage of Micropropagation
The study was conducted at the Tissue Culture Laboratory and Crop Research Laboratory of the University of Southeastern Philippines to test the efficacy of selected antibiotics and antifungal agents in the elimination of...