Fungi and Aflatoxin Occurrence in Fresh and Dried Vegetables Marketed in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Mycoflora and aflatoxin contamination was determined in 200 samples of fresh and dried vegetable, which are widely used because of their nutritional and medicinal principles. Fifty (50) fresh pumpkin (Curcurbita spp),fresh spinach (Spinancia oleracea), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) comprising of (25 dried and 25 fresh) and 50samples of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) (25 dried and 25 fresh) were collected from local vegetable vendors inMinna metropolis, Nigeria for investigation. Identification of isolates was carried out based on their morphologicaland microscopic characteristics. A total of 165 isolates made up of 4 genera (Aspergillus, Penicillum, Fusarium andMucor) were identified. Aflatoxins (AF) were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography techniquewith UV detection. The dried bitter leaf samples was more (P<0.05) susceptible to aflatoxin contamination thanfresh bitter leaf and pumpkin leaf samples. Fifty two percent (52%) of all aflatoxins contamination was by AFG1, nosignificant (P>0.05) difference was observed between AFB1 (40%) and AFB2 (44%) in the dried bitter leaf samples.Aflatoxins were detected in tomato (fresh and dried) and spinach samples at lower concentrations (0.00-9.12 μg/kg).This report calls for a need for enlightenment on proper agricultural, storage and hygienic practicesalongside thehazards related with aflatoxin-contaminated foods.