Mycoflora of Maize in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Fungi have been associated with contamination and spoilage of food. These organisms are known to thrive in different weather and environmental conditions. Maize kernel obtained from field, store and market from 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State within the month of August to September were analyzed for fungi occurrence using standard methods. Ten different fungus; Aspergillus niger, A. ochraceus, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. parasiticus, Mucor spp, Fusarium spp, Penicillium spp, Yeast and Rhizopus spp, were identified and isolated from the maize kernel. From the agro-ecological zones of the state, the most predominant fungi were Aspergillus species (241/345), Rhizopus spp (41/345) and Mucor spp (37/345) while Penicilium spp and yeast were the least identified. Within the zones, Aspergillus species have the highest occurrence; wet (65/95), driest (63/95), wettest (56/95) and dry zone (54/95) zones. The highest occurrence of fungi was found in the market sample (129) followed by store (112) and field (104). High percentage occurrence of 11.6% was recorded in Suleja, Wushishi, and Borgu Local Government Area, followed by 10. 6, 10.1, 8.7, 9.7, 9.2, 8.7 and 8.2% in Bosso, Tafa, Madalla, Minna, Paiko, Bida and Sabon wuse respectively. Mold species known to be mycotoxin producers were reported in this work. This poses as a risk factor to food safety.

Characterization of Aflatoxigenic and Nonaflatoxigenic Isolates of Aspergillus flavus by Cultural and Immunological Methods

“…The analysis further indicated high predominance of some toxigenic fungal genera including Aspergillus, Fusarium, Paecilomyces and Penicillium as compared with other fungal isolates. This widespread distribution and prevalence of Aspergillus section Flavi in stored maize were observed previously in China (Xing et al, 2017), Nigeria (Muhammad et al, 2019) and Spain (Alborch et al, 2012). The development of these fungi could be affected by moisture content of the product (Gtorni et al, 2009).…”

In vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of chitosan and identification of potentially toxigenic fungi in stored maize of Nayarit, Mexico

“…is one of the fungi that occur most frequently followed by the genus Penicillium spp., while in the field the highest incidence is of the genus Fusarium spp. (Akonda et al, 2016;Erasto et al, 2023;González-Jartín et al, 2022;Gulbis et al, 2016;Muhammad et al, 2019;Odjo et al, 2022;Pfliegler et al, 2020;Qi et al, 2023).…”

“…According to the BLAST search, the A1 strain showed 100% coverage and 100% identity with A. niger, the P1 strain had 100% coverage and 100% identity with P. funiculosum, and the F1 strain had 99% coverage and 99.57% identity with F. verticillioides. Mycotoxin-producing pathogenic fungi, such as A. niger, P. funiculosum, and F. verticillioides, are often isolated from cereals, particularly maize, throughout the world (Erasto et al, 2023;González-Jartín et al, 2022;Muhammad et al, 2019;Odebode et al, 2020;Odjo et al, 2022;Pfliegler et al, 2020;Qi et al, 2023).…”

Updates on food and feed mycotoxin contamination and safety in Africa with special reference to Nigeria

“…According to Peraica et al ( 2014 ) young ones including animals and children are highly sensitive and show reactions to effect of mycotoxins than adults due to their lower body mass, higher metabolic rate, and underdeveloped organs and detoxification mechanisms. Despite the bulk of research on assessment of mycotoxins contaminated food and its exposure, the public health impact is largely ignored in Nigeria at the expenses of rising incidence that are linked to cancers, immune system defects, growth retardations, liver diseases and death due to short term or long term exposure (Adjovi et al 2015 ; Muhammad et al 2019 ).…”