Food Condiment Series 1: Fungal Contamination of Two Food Condiments (Brachystegia eurycoma and Detarium macrocarpum) Sold in Some Local Markets in Rivers State

Abstract

Food Condiment Series 1: Fungal Contamination of Two Food Condiments (Brachystegia eurycoma and Detarium macrocarpum) Sold in Some Local Markets in Rivers State This work is aimed at identifying these organisms in order to reduce the contamination of food condiments. A survey of seed-borne fungi associated with the seeds of Brachystegia eurycoma and Detarium macrocarpum (Whole and Ground) obtained from two different local markets in Rivers State namely; Etche and Bori was conducted. Fungi were isolated using Standard Blotter Method and pure cultures of Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus spp, Botrydiplodia theobromae, Fusarium solani, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium spp, Penicillium notatum and Fusarium moniliforme, were obtained on Potatoes Dextrose Agar (PDA). Comparing the fungal contamination of the food condiments Detarium macrocarpum and Brachystegia eurycoma from 2 different markets in Rivers State, shows that the fungi obtained from Etche market has the highest percentage incidence of 181.83% as compared to Bori market (79.16%). It shows that these legumes are good substrate, for the growth of pathogenic fungi that produce toxins that are detrimental to human health because of the diseases they cause.  Fungi produce toxins which cause harm to us thus, consumers are advised to buy the whole seeds of (Brachystegia eurycoma and Detarium macrocarpum) and use immediately. Preservation of food condiments should be a major concern in order to improve food security and safe guard the health of the consumers.