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FUNGAL ISOLATION, IDENTIFICATION AND PRELIMINARY DETECTION OF AFLATOXINS IN GROUNDNUT OIL AND GROUNDNUT CAKE SOLD IN MAJOR MARKETS OF SOKOTO METROPOLIS
M. I, Musa, H., Bello, Habibu, A., H. A., Nababa, Kamaru, M., B, I., Saidu, Yabo, A., and G, Z., Zubairu

ABSTRACT
Aflatoxins are highly toxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced by fungi. The study aimed to isolate and identify fungi associated with groundnut cake and groundnut oil sold in major markets in the Sokoto metropolis and detect aflatoxinsin groundnut products. Sixteen (16) samples (four each) were collected from four different Sokoto markets: Babbar Kasuwa, Marina Market, Tsohuwar Kasuwa and Kasuwar Hubbare Markets. Fungi were isolated and identified using standard microbiological procedures, and aflatoxins were detected using thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Fungal species isolated and identified were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus fumigatus, with the Occurrence of 6(35.3%), 5(27.5%), 4(26.3%) and 1(10.9%) respectively. Blue fluorescence, which indicates the presence of aflatoxin B, was detected in the samples with retention factors of 0.75-0.79. Aflatoxin was not detected in the samples, having a retention factor above 0.79. This study, therefore, concluded that the groundnut samples collected from major markets of the Sokoto metropolis were contaminated with one or more Aspergillus species, and detection of aflatoxin B in some samples is hazardous to health. Thus, fungal and aflatoxin contaminations of groundnut products at the field, during harvest or storage, should be controlled through good agricultural, processing and storage practices and ensuring hygienic practices at the point of sales. Keywords: Aflatoxin; Aspergillus; Groundnut; Sokoto Markets Keywords: Fungal Isolation, Aflatoxins, Groundnut Oil, Cake Sold, Markets, and Sokoto


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The Beam journal of arts and science
ISSN: 1118-5953 www.uaspolysok.edu.ng/jounal