Current research work was carried out for the detection of potential bacterial pathogen and aflatoxigenic fungi Aspergillus spp. from grain comprising [Rice (5), Maize (5), Wheat (5), Khessari dal (5) and Anchora dal (5)] were collected from 3 different local markets of Dinajpur District, Bangladesh. 15 bacterial isolates comprising 4 genera of bacteria were found from a total of 25 samples. The isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Salmonella spp. with 16%, 28%, 16% and 16% prevalence respectively. Antibiogram studies revealed that overall effective drugs against isolated bacteria were Ciprofloxacin followed by Gentamycin. But resistant drugs were Penicillin, Vancomycin, Erythromycin, Kanamycin, and Amoxicillin. The variation in the sensitivity of common antibiotic could be the result of extensive and indiscriminate use of these antibiotics. Aspergillus spp. was isolated from 4-grain samples with 16% prevalence. But aflatoxigenic Aspergillus spp. was isolated from 3 samples with 12% prevalence. From the wheat samples and maize, the aflatoxigenic fungus was isolated and their prevalence in maize, wheat was 40% and 20% respectively. Their early detection can help to take preventive measures to combat economic and health losses. The study showed that earlier detections can be made by simple traditional identifications using macro and micromorphological fungal features rather than adopting the time and cost consuming molecular identification techniques.

Aflatoxins are the potential carcinogens produced as secondary metabolites by Aspergillus flavus. They have the ability to contaminate large number of food which ultimately affect the human population. Malt extract agar was selected for the growth of control stains of fungus. The aim of the study was to develop a reliable and quick method for the detection of aflatoxin producing strains in peanuts by using molecular approaches. Total 80 samples of infected peanuts were collected from four different cities of Punjab and checked for their aflatoxin contamination. For aflatoxin detection, three target genes nor1, ver1 and aflR were selected which was involved in the aflatoxin biosynthesis. In all examined cases, 24 out of 80 (30%) samples successfully amplified all three genes indicating aflatoxigenic activity. Discrimination between aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic strains were also determined on the basis of amplification of these three target DNA fragments. In this study, it was also demonstrated that only specific strains were able to produce the aflatoxin contamination in peanuts.

Mycoflora, mycotoxin contamination and proximate mineral composition of smoked-dried frog (Aubria sp.) samples purchased from different markets in Ibadan, Oyo State were investigated. A total of 20 composite samples made up of 120 smoked-dried frog samples were collected. The total fungi count ranged from 1.0 x103 – 8.0 x 103 cfu/g. A total of 70 fungal strains including: Alternaria sp., Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus tamarii, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Fusarium compacticum, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium sacchari, Fusarium solani, Fusarium verticillioides, Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium oxalicum, Trichoderma viridae and Rhizophus sp. were isolated from the samples. All the samples were contaminated with aflatoxin and 70% were contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON). The total Aflatoxin and DON in the two sampling ranged from 5.06h – 9.17a ppb, 1.86h – 5.58a ppb and 0.00 – 0.96 ppm and 0.00 – 0.09 ppm. The levels of mycotoxins contamination were within the maximum limit permitted. The Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium spp. were able to produce aflatoxin and DON which ranged from 1.65 – 3.56 ppb and 0.05 – 0.19 ppm. The percentage crude protein, K, Ca and Fe content in the samples ranged from 40.79j – 53.93a, 217.85 – 1235.83 mg/100 g, 4201 – 437.25 mg/100 g and 431.75 – 1065.0 mg/100 g. The moisture content ranged from 11.58h – 16.31a. The Cd, Zn and Cu content ranged from 0.00 – 0.22 mg/100 g, 9.43 – 5.20 mg/100 g and 7.05 – 18.58 mg/100 g. The presence of mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxin levels in the dried frog samples is of public health concern and proper attention is needed for the control of quality and adequate preservation before sales and consumption.