A Comparative Analysis of Different Species of Fungi Associated with Oil and Non-Oil Garri (Cassava Flour) Sold in Mudalawan Market, Bauchi State, Nigeria

In this study, different species of fungi associated with oil and non-oil Garri were isolated at Mudalawal market, Bauchi State, Nigeria. A total of eight different samples were obtained inside a sterile container and transported to the microbiology laboratory at Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Bauchi state for analysis. Malt Extract Agar was used for the isolation and identification; about five fungal species were isolated and identified using the standard method of Microbiological techniques. Penicillium spp. (26.9 %) had the highest occurrence in oil and non-oil Garri, followed by Aspergillus spp. (23.1 %), and Rhizopus spp. (19.2 %) with Fusarium spp. and Mucor spp. having the minor frequency of 15.4 %. Higher fungal species were isolated from non-oil Garri compared to oil Garri samples. Moisture content recorded showed higher Oil Garri than in the Non-oil Garri. The fungi isolated were characterized and identified based on their morphological and colonial appearance. The results show that consumers are exposed to the risk of aflatoxin poisoning. Efforts should therefore be made to improve the quality of Cassava by addressing its handling and processing practices.