The bioload and aflatoxin content of market garri from some selected states in southern Nigeria: public health significance.

BACKGROUND Garri is consumed by several millions of people in the West African sub-region and in Nigeria in particular, regardless of ethnicity and socio-economic class. However, production and handling methods have not been standardized, resulting in a product with varying quality and safety indices hence varying public health concern. OBJECTIVES To investigate the microbial contamination level, presence, prevalence and distribution of aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁ and G₂ in market garri with the aim of developing useful indices for safe handling and acceptable public health standards. METHODS A total of 300 samples comprising of 30 samples each from various market in both urban and rural settings were randomly collected using sterile polyethylene bags. These were analysed for microbiological quality and aflatoxins content using standard procedures. RESULTS Eight bacteria genera (Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas, Clostridium, Salmonella Klebsiella and Coliforms groups) genera and six fungi genera (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Botrytls, Fusarium and Cladosporium) were detected and isolated. Aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁ and G₂ were detected in varying concentrations amongst the samples analysed within and amongst the states investigated with an average occurrence rate of 17.5% CONCLUSION Market garri was found to contain high bioload with vast array of micro-organisms and aflatoxins in all the states investigated. Results are useful in developing and establishing public health standards for the production and safe handling of garri.