ABSTRACT

A study was undertaken to identify Aflatoxin-producing species of Aspergillus in wheat flour and grain. A total of 20 samples of wheat flour and grains bought from local sellers at Watt and Marian market all in Calabar, Nigeria were subjected to microbial assessment for the presence of Aflatoxin-producing species of Aspergillus. This was carried out by employing both cultural and wet mount techniques for the identification of fungal isolates. Total average fungal counts for wheat flour and grains samples 1.0 x 105 cfu/g — 2.67x 105 cfu/g while the total average fungal counts for grain samples ranges from 1.07x 105 cfu/g — 3.07x 105 cfu/g. Therefore, the fungal load is highest in grain samples than the wheat flour samples that had the least fungal load. Aflatoxin-producing species of Aspergillus were isolated which included Aspergillus favus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Other species of Aspergillus and other organisms were also isolated. They include; Aspergillus niger, Aspergillusfimigatus, Aspergillus oryzae, Penicilum spp, Mucor indicus, Fusarium spp, Rhizopus spp. In all, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillusfiavus were the most occurring ones.

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