Microfungi Associated with Sun Dried Rastrineobola argentea Sold in Gucha South District in Kenya
Irene S. Nyamwaka
Department of Microbiology, Kenyatta University, P.O.Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Anthony K. Nyamache
Department of Microbiology, Kenyatta University, P.O.Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
John M. Maingi *
Department of Microbiology, Kenyatta University, P.O.Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The mycoflora of sun dried Rastrineobola argentea are associated with deterioration of the fish during sun drying, handling and storage in Gucha South district. A total of six markets were studied from which five wholesalers and thirty retailers were sampled randomly and systematically. A sample of 50 g of Rastrineobola argentea was collected from each participant during the period between September and December 2012. Samples were cultured on dichloran 18% glycerol (DG 18) agar to identify the fungi growing on the dried Rastrineobola argentea. The results obtained showed that thirteen different fungal species were isolated. These were; Absidia spp. (4.05%), Aureobasidium spp. (1.36%), Alternaria spp. (1.36%), Cladosporium spp. (2.70%), Aspergillus niger (17.57%), Aspergillus flavus (9.46%), Aspergillus fumigatus (10.81%), Fusarium spp. (2.70%), Trichoderma spp. (2.70%), Rhizopus spp. (29.73%), Yeasts (5.40%), Penicillium spp. (6.76%) and Mucor spp. (5.40%). The data obtained from the study showed that 83.79% of all the isolates were toxin producing. The presence of mycotoxin producing species in the samples shows that the fish sold in Gucha South district could be a threat to the health of the consumers and therefore measures should be taken to improve their quality.
Keywords: Microfungi, associated, Rastrineobola argentea, sun dried, Gucha South