Abstract

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This study estimated the mycoflora and mycotoxins (aflatoxin and fumonisin) contamination of Pupuru; a locally fermented cassava flour sold in four markets (Okitipupa, Ilutitun, Igodan and Ikoya) in Okitipupa, Ondo state, southwestern Nigeria. Sixty (60) samples gotten from the markets were found to be lightly contaminated with aflatoxin (P<0.05) and fumonisin (p<0.05) using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively, although one of the samples from Okitipupa market had an undetectable level of fumonisin (>REF). The aflatoxin concentration in the samples ranged from 0.00096 to 0.0081 ppm while the fumonisin concentrations in the samples were between 0.08 and 0.68 ppb. Fungi species isolated from samples are Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium italicum, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium moniliforme, Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus niger. It is recommended that proper care should be taken during handling and storage of cassava used in the production of Pupuru to prevent the infestation microorganisms so as to ultimately reduce mycotoxin levels in the Pupuru.

Keywords: Mycotoxins, Aflatoxin, Fumonisin, Pupuru, Cassava