ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS FROM SPOILT TOMATOES VENDED IN GWAGWALADA MARKET, ABUJA

Abstract

Aspergillus flavus is an important food borne pathogen reported to have caused serious respiratory and gastrointestinal illness in humans and animal worldwide including Nigeria. This necessitated a microbial study on spoilt tomatoes sold at various stands at the Gwagwalada market. Randomly 120 samples were collected for mycological studies. Samples were inoculated on PDA agar as on a petri dish for 3-7 days at 30⁰C. Positive isolate of A. flavus were further confirm using morphological identification and microscopy. The overall prevalence of A. flavus for this study was 28.2%. The prevalence was distributed in the varoius tomato stands in the market. Antifungal sensitivity testing of 6(5%) positive A. flavus isolates was carried out using antifungal drugs like the  susceptibility discs, comprising of Nystatin (100iu) Itraconazole (50µg),  posaconazole (5µg), Caspofufungin(5µg), Voriconazole (1µg),  Fluconazole (100µg) , Griseofulvin (10µg) , Metronidazole (50µg), Ketoconazole (15µg). The result indicated that the A. flavus isolates were sensitive to Posaconazole, Itraconazole, Caspofufungin, Voriconazole, and Nystatin as such are still potent drugs. However resistant to Fluconazole, Griseofulvin, Metronidazole, Ketoconazole and Amphotericin B. The study provides information on A. flavus as a potential food borne pathogen. Therefore it is recommended that public should be properly educated on antifungal drug use and also on the dangers of consuming spoilt tomatoes contaminated with A. flavus