Fungal Count in Maize Flour Sold in Nakuru Market

A SHORT COMMUNICATION Determination of fungal trains in corn whisky flour sold in Nakuru County-Kenya epitome In this study atomic compute 23 samples of rotter grains, un jammed flour and packed flour each were still from Nakuru shop center. Fungal levels in the flour were determined to found whether the set were within the recommended FOA limits fore human use and too to inquire the presence of toxigenic fungi. The procedure was carried out by vaccinating on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Once offshoot occurred, the number of fungi growing were counted and identified to the genus level. The moisture cognitive depicted object in the grains and the flour was determined as percentage use weight loss by drying the samples in the oven at 105oC for 24 hours. The results indicated that in both packed and unpacked flour levels were beyond the recommended FAO limits. It was as well find that fungal counts in packed flour were higher(prenominal) that those in unpacked fl our. However the difference was not significant tally to the results of the T-test. moisture content levels in corn whiskey grains, unpacked and packed flour were at a lower place the levels that encourage fungal growth. The flour was highly contaminated by moulds particularly those of the genus Penicillium, Fusarium and Aspergillus.Further work should be done to identify the fungus species to the species level and excessively to determine whether the flour is contaminated by every mycotoxins.

secern words: Mycotoxins, toxigenic fungi. Introduction Maize (Zea mays) belongs to the family Poaceae (old name graminae). It ! is an one-year grass and one of the most important cereal crops in Kenya. It is the staple food for most of the people in Kenya. slimly 2,900,000 acres of edible corn are grown annually for the most part on small-scale farming. Besides food for humans gamboge is also apply as feed for farm animals. 3.8 tones of maize were consumed in Kenya in the year 2002 alone (FAO, 2003). The term fungus is employ to include nucleated, spore...If you want to get a full essay, line up it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

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