Emeka Nweze
University of Nigeria, Nigeria
Title: Production of mycotoxins by fungi isolated from different food grains sold in the open market in Nigeria
Biography
Biography: Emeka Nweze
Abstract
We undertook a study to determine fungi associated with common and different kinds of fresh and stored food grains produced and sold in Southeast Nigeria markets. The food grains sampled included Zea mays, Oryza sativa (local and imported varieties), Phaseolus vulgaris (different species), Pennisetum typhoides, Arachis hypogaea, Cola (different species), Vigna unguiculata, Sorghum bicolor, Cajanus cajan and Triticum spp. Different species of Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Alternaria and Rhizopus were recovered from the grains. These recovered fungal species were evaluated for mycotoxin production. Our results showed that these organisms produced one kind of mycotoxin notably aflatoxin B1, zearalenone and fumonisin B1 among others. Our findings raise some health and economic concerns especially due to the fact that Nigeria currently does not appear to have a strong monitoring and screening policy for grains that are sold in the open market to the public.