Characterization of Fungal Contaminants in Fermented Locust Beans in Kwara State: Implications for Food Safety

Authors

  • Ganiyu Shittu Olahan
    Department of Plant Biology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
  • Ibrahim Ajadi
    Department of Plant Biology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
  • Patience Olayinka Ben-uwabor
    Department of Plant and Environmental Biology, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria
  • Sunday Emmanuel Adebayo
    Department of Plant Biology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Array, Array, Array, Array, Array

Abstract

Fermented locust bean seeds are utilized for seasoning in various traditional dishes. Its production is mostly under unhygienic conditions by majorly illiterate women who care less about microbial contamination of the final product. Consumption of any contaminated food can cause health complications in humans. DNA extraction offers a distinct method for identifying organisms. This study aimed at isolating the mycoflora associated with fermented locust bean seeds collected from 3 villages in Kwara State, Nigeria using both morphological and molecular techniques. Morphologically, isolate A was yellowish – green, B was black; C was initially white, but turned to brown later, while D was cottony and white in colour. DNA of each of the isolates was extracted using Zymo Fungal/Bacteria DNA Miniprep Kit. PCR amplification of the ITS regions of the isolates was carried out using primer pair; ITS1 and ITS4. The products were then sequenced and the results after BLAST search revealed that Isolate A is Aspergillus flavus, B is A. niger, C is Rhizopus arrhizus and D is Mucor indicus. The fermented locust bean seeds from Madi village had the highest fungal count (7.2 X 103 cfu/ml), while that from Ogundele village had the lowest (1.4 X 103 cfu/ml). The presence of Aspergillus niger and A. flavus (mycotoxigenic fungi) in this study poses a significant public health risk. Therefore, it is important to encourage the villagers involved in fermented locust bean production and storage in these villages to be more hygienic.

 

Dimensions

Saleh, M.S.M., Jalil, J., Zainalabidin, S., Asmadi, A.Y., Mustafa, N.H. and Kamisah, Y. 2021. Genus Parkia: Phytochemical, Medicinal Uses, and Pharmacological Properties. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(2): 618. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22020618

Tyohemba, S. (2023). The Effects of Hydrochloric Acid, Mechanical Scarification And Hot Water On Germination Of Parkia Biglobosa Seeds (African Locust Bean) [Preprint]. https://doi.org/10.14293/S2199-1006.1.SOR-.PPRBUFB.v1

Molecular Compositions and Morphological Structures of Fermented African Locust Bean Seed (Parkia biglobosa). 2021. Letters in Applied NanoBioScience, 11(1): 3111–3119. https://doi.org/10.33263/LIANBS111.31113119

Olasupo, N.A. and Okorie, P.C. (2019). African Fermented Food Condiments: Microbiology Impacts on Their Nutritional Values. In Lidia Solís-Oviedo R & De La Cruz Pech-Canul Á. (Eds.), Frontiers and New Trends in the Science of Fermented Food and Beverages. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83466

Kambabazi, M., Okoth, M.W., Ngala, S., Njue, L. and Vasanthakaalam, H. (2022). Physicochemical properties and sensory evaluation of a bean‐based composite soup flour. Legume Science, 4(4): e139. https://doi.org/10.1002/leg3.139

Moss, R., LeBlanc, J., Gorman, M., Ritchie, C., Duizer, L. and McSweeney, M.B. (2023). A Prospective Review of the Sensory Properties of Plant-Based Dairy and Meat Alternatives with a Focus on Texture. Foods, 12(8): 1709. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12081709

Tersoo-Abiem, E.M., Sule, S., Iwuamadi, I. and Awulu, E.O. (2021). Quality Evaluation of Dried Fermented Locust Bean and Soybean Condiments. European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 3(2): 63–67. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejfood.2021.3.2.261

Mishra, S., Singh, R., Upadhyay, A., Mishra, S. and Shukla, S. (2023). Emerging trends in processing for cereal and legume-based beverages: A review. Future Foods, 8: 100257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fufo.2023.100257

Eboma, R.N., Ogidi, C.O. and Akinyele, B.J. (2021). Bioactive compounds and antimicrobial activity of extracts from fermented African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) against pathogenic microorganisms. The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research, 4(8): 343–350. https://doi.org/10.51745/najfnr.4.8.343-350

Rahim, M.A., Ayub, H., Sehrish, A., Ambreen, S., Khan, F.A., Itrat, N., Nazir, A., Shoukat, A., Ejaz, A., Özogul, F., Bartkiene, E. and Rocha, J.M. (2023). Essential Components from Plant Source Oils: A Review on Extraction, Detection, Identification, and Quantification. Molecules, 28(19): 6881. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28196881

Airaodion, A.I., Airaodion, E.O., Ogbuagu, E.O., Ogbuagu, U. and Osemwowa, E.U. (2019). Effect of Oral Intake of African Locust Bean on Fasting Blood Sugar and Lipid Profile of Albino Rats. Asian Journal of Research in Biochemistry, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajrb/2019/v4i430073

Nasrallah, K., Khaled, S., El Khatib, S. and Krayem, M. (2023). Nutritional, biochemical and health properties of Locust beans and its applications in the food industry: A review. Journal of Food Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-023-05765-5

Sharma, A., Khanna, S, Kaur, G. and Singh, I. (2021). Medicinal plants and their components for wound healing applications. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7(1): 53. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00202-w

Reis, F.P.D., Rigo, G.V., Nogueira, C.W., Tasca, T., Sari, M.H.M. and Cruz, L. (2022). Locust Bean Gum Nano-Based Hydrogel for Vaginal Delivery of Diphenyl Diselenide in the Treatment of Trichomoniasis: Formulation Characterization and In Vitro Biological Evaluation. Pharmaceutics, 14(10): 2112. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14102112

Malik, A.A., Ijaiya, A.T. and Patrick, D. (2018). Effect of feeding African Locust Bean fruit pulp diets on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of weaner rabbits Keywords: Parkia biglobosa. Nig. J. Anim. Prod., 45(2): 232 -238

Alao, O.T., Olanrewaju, K.O. and Oyeleke, O.R. (2020). Women involvement in locust beans processing as a livelihood activity in Ejigbo Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology, 20(1): 40-50

Omotayo, O.P, Omotayo, A.O., Mwanza, M. and Babalola, O.O. (2019). Prevalence of Mycotoxins and Their Consequences on Human Health. Toxicological Research, 35(1): 1–7. https://doi.org/10.5487/TR.2019.35.1.001

Amadi, J.E., Nwaokike, P., Olahan, G.S. and Garuba, T. (2014). Isolation and identification of fungi involved in the post-harvest spoilage of guava (psidium guajava) in awka metropolis. International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 4 (10): 7-12.

Akharenegbe, P., Chuku, A., Mawak, J., Sani, B., Nsemoh, H.E. and Fadayomi, V.K. (2022). Fungal biodiversity associated with groundnuts stored in Nasarawa State. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18(3): 023–029. https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2022.18.3.0087

Tafinta, I.Y., Adamu, M., Shehu, H. and Ahmad, H. (2023). Isolation and Identification of Fungi Associated with Dried Meat Sold at Sokoto Metropolis. UMYU Scientifica, 2(2): 74 – 79. https://doi.org/10.56919/usci.2322.010

Kidd, S.E., Abdolrasouli, A. and Hagen, F. (2023). Fungal Nomenclature: Managing Change is the Name of the Game. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 10(1): ofac559.

Okolo, E., Simon, V. O. and Eze, M. E. (2023). Mycoflora of Fermented Locust Beans (Parkia biglobosa) Seed, “Iru” Sold in Lokoja Markets, Kogi State, Nigeria. FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES, 7(4): 76–81. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2023-0704-1816

Raja, H.A., Miller, A.N., Pearce, C.J. and Oberlies, N.A. (2017). Fungal identification using molecular tools: A primer for the natural products research community. J. Nat. Prod., 80: 756-770.

Ajadi, I. and Olahan, G.S. (2024). Fungal molecular identification and total aflatoxin assessment in stored peanut seeds in Kwara State, Nigeria. Mycopath, 22(1): 39-46.

Khan, I.H., Javaid, A., Naqvi, S.F. (2021). Molecular characterization of Penicillium expansum isolated from grapes and its management by leaf extract of Chenopodium murale. Int. J. Phytopathol., 10: 29-35.

Khan, I.H. and Javaid, A. (2022). Molecular characterization of Penicillium italicum causing blue mold on lemon in Pakistan. J. Plant Pathol., 104: 845- 846.

Nwadiaro, P.O., Wuyep, P.A., Ogbonna, A.I., Nwaukwu, I.A. and Nwanokw, M. (2015). Mycoflora of stored Parkia biglobosa (jacq.) R.br. Ex g.don (locust bean) seeds from markets in Jos, Nigeria and changes in their nutritional composition. International Journal of Recent Scientific Research, 6(3): 2932-2937.

Yahaya, S.M., Yakasai, M.A. and Safwan, M. (2021). Fungal infection of locust beans Parkia biglobosa on sale at wudil and darki markets of Kano State, North Western Nigeria. International Journal of Phytology Research, 1(2): 01-04

Oyewole, O.A., Okeke, S.K., Adedeji, S.A., Mustapha, H. and Yakubu, J.G. (2020). Enumeration and Identification of Fungi from Selected Local Spices Sold in Minna Nigeria. Covenant Journal of Physical & Life Sciences (CJPL), 8(2): 42-50.

Adekoya, I., Obadina, A., Phoku, J., Nwinyi, O. and Njobeh, P. (2017). Contamination of fermented foods in Nigeria with fungi. LWT, 86: 76–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2017.07.044.

Nain, N., Kumari, K.G., Haridasan, H. and Sharma, S.G. (2020). Microbes in food and beverage industry. Microbial diversity, interventions and scope, 249-258.

Kagot, V., Okoth, S., De Boevre, M. and De Saeger, S. (2019). Biocontrol of Aspergillus and Fusarium Mycotoxins in Africa: Benefits and Limitations. Toxins, 11(2): 109. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins11020109.

Piacentini, K.C., Rocha, L.O., Savi, G.D., Carnielli-Queiroz, L., De Carvalho Fontes, L. and Correa, B. (2019). Assessment of Toxigenic Fusarium Species and Their Mycotoxins in Brewing Barley Grains. Toxins, 11(1): 31. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins11010031Awuchi, C.G., Ondari, E.N., Ogbonna, C.U., Upadhyay, A.K., Baran, K., Okpala, C.O.R., Korzeniowska, M. and Guiné, R.P.F. (2021). Mycotoxins Affecting Animals, Foods Humans, and Plants: Types, Occurrence, Toxicities, Action Mechanisms, Prevention, and Detoxification Strategies—A Revisit. Foods, 10(6): 1279. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10061279.

Front

Published

2024-11-01

How to Cite

Characterization of Fungal Contaminants in Fermented Locust Beans in Kwara State: Implications for Food Safety. (2024). Lafia Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 3(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.62050/ljsir2025.v3n1.355

Issue

Volume 3, Issue 1 (April, 2025), Lafia Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research (LJSIR)

Section

Life Sciences
Copyright & Licensing

Copyright (c) 2024 Lafia Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Characterization of Fungal Contaminants in Fermented Locust Beans in Kwara State: Implications for Food Safety. (2024). Lafia Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 3(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.62050/ljsir2025.v3n1.355

Similar Articles

11-20 of 66

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.