Mycoflora and Aflatoxin Associated with Stored Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Retailed in Major Markets of Ondo Metropolis, Nigeria

Aim: The research was conducted to investigate the mycoflora associated with wheat, having high moisture from storage, sold in major markets in Ondo metropolis..

Methodology: Wheat samples were obtained from five major markets: Okedibo, Sabo, Iyalaaje, Post office and Yaba markets. These samples were analysed for aflatoxin content using TLC and ELISA methods for qualitative and quantitative determination while the presence of fungal contaminants were determined by culture on Potato Dextrose Agar. Identification of isolated fungi was done by macroscopic and microscopic morphological methods.

Results: The moisture content of the wheat samples was considered high (26.54±0.20% – 30.54±0.02%) and the study revealed the presence of the following fungi: Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Mucor, Rhizopus, Geotrichum, Mucor, and Sporendonema. A.niger showed the highest percentage occurrence of 27.4% while Sporendonema had the least occurrence (5%). Aflatoxin was found present only in samples that were collected from Iyalaaje and Okedibo with concentrations ranging from 30 – 48 ppb.

Conclusion: Though the presence of aflatoxin is observed in only a few of the samples, it still poses health risks, hence the need to proactively combat fungal contamination in stored products.