The Mycoflora and Public Health Risks of Some Food Materials Sold in Lugbe Markets, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by many species of fungi. They natural contaminants food (feed) commodities where they cause significant risks to human and animal health. In this work, some items; Roasted Groundnut Kernel, Dried smoked fish, Grounded melon, Ogbono (Irvingia gabonensis) Date palm fruits were directly cultured on modified PDA (Chloramphenicol; 0.1g/l Cycloheximide; 0.5mg/ml) the respective food-associated molds isolated identified microscopically use Lacto-phenol cotton blue for their morphological characterisation. The results showed presence Aspergillus spp., Penicillium Rhizopus, Mucor, Fusarium Cladosporium with having highest occurrence in Melon flour (38%) followed spp. ground nut (25%) Mucor lowest cashew nuts (5%). indicator organisms such as (A. flavus A. parasiticus) renders foods potentially unwholesome because likelihood production one most poisonous mycotoxins (aflatoxin). Poor storage, moisture conditions growth unacceptable aflatoxin levels. Some consumed without further processing or under processed. Based our study, proper drying protection from spores recommended safety preventive measures. This research should create awareness dangers associated consumption materials especially ready-to-eat ones.