Fungal Infestation of Garri Sold Around Dutsinma Metropolis

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the fungal contaminants of garri in Dutsinma metropolis. A total of 150 samples were bought at random, 75 each of white and red garri from three different markets including Wednesday market, Abuja road market and Old market respectively. The fungi isolated using standard microbiological techniques were Alternaria spp. (3.7%), Aspergillus spp. (14.8%), Cladosporium spp. (27.8%), Fusarium spp. (9.3%), Mucor spp. (12.9%), Penicillium spp. (16.7%) and Rhizopus spp. (14.8%) in white garri. For yellow garri: Alternaria spp. (2.9%), Aspergillus spp. (8.8%), Cladosporium spp. (29.4%), Fusarium spp. (8.8%), Mucor spp. (11.8%), Penicillium spp. (20.6%) and Rhizopus spp. (17.6%) with Cladosporium and Rhizopus recording the highest occurrence in both white and yellow garri. Higher fungi species were isolated from white garri (54) compared to yellow (34) samples. Moisture content recorded showed higher content in white garri than in the yellow garri. Identification of the isolated fungi based on their morphological and cultural characteristics was carried out. The results show that consumers are exposed to the risk of aflatoxin poisoning. Efforts should therefore be made to improve the quality of Cassava farina by addressing its handling and processing practices.