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The study investigated the incidence of mycobiota, Aspergillus spp metabolites and aflatoxin biosynthesis precursors in 60 samples of seeds and haulms of improved groundnut genotypes in Nigeria. Culturing of the infected seeds was done using the agar plate method and mycobiota identification was done using conventional cultural and microscopy method. The occurrence of Aspergillus toxins, and aflatoxin biosynthesis precursors were evaluated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC- MS/MS). Three identified species and four unidentified species of fungi were isolated from the seeds with Aspergillus niger (47.19%) and A. flavus (17.82%) having higher incidence more than others. The seed samples from ICGX 86024 and ICGX 01276 had the highest and lowest fungal incidence respectively. No aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A or fumonisins were detected in the seeds and haulms samples of the improved groundnut despite the incidence of A. flavus. Fifteen fungal metabolites were found including eight Aspergillus metabolites and seven aflatoxin biosynthesis precursors. From our result, STC which is involved in flatoxin biosynthesis pathway was below limit of detection and thus aflatoxin formation in the groundnuts might be interrupted. This report is foremost in elucidating the aflatoxins biosynthesis precursors in seeds and haulms of improved groundnut varieties in Northern Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey was conducted to ascertain theaflatoxin awareness level among employeesofBabcock University, Nigeria, as a baseline study for understanding the level of aflatoxin awareness within the Nigerian University System. Semi-structured self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data on respondents' socio demographics, knowledge abouthealth/economic impacts of aflatoxins, as well as respondents' perception on potential mitigation strategies against aflatoxin contamination. Although all respondents (n=200) had a minimum of Bachelor's degree, only 64%of them had prior knowledge about aflatoxins, with the majority of aflatoxin-aware respondents coming from science/health related faculties of the university. There was no direct correlation between awareness level and the educational qualification of employees. However, the percentage of unawareness was higher among female respondents, indicating a need to increase awareness levels within this populationthatismore involved domestically with food preparation and preservation. Eighty percent of aflatoxin-aware respondents (n=128) correctly attributed aflatoxin contamination to fungal infestation, but 14% of these responded that theywent ahead to consume fungal infested food after removing the mouldy parts. Aggressive public enlightenment is highly recommended for improving aflatoxin awareness levels across Nigeria, through collaborations among local and international governmental and non-governmental agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of a strain of Alternaria tenuissima Kunze (IMI 301005) Wiltshire to degrade and alter the nutrient profile of three common Nigerian cereals was studied. The grains involved were Pennisetum glaucum, Sorghum vulgare and Oryza sativa. Fat, fibre and protein decreased in the inoculated substrates, and this was accompanied by an increase in ash content. The highest levels of cereal degradation by the mould were attained at pH 6.8 and at temperature range of 30-35 °C. Within 48 hours of incubation, extracellular proteases were detected in all the culture media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]