This study reveals numerous fungal spores encountered in some markets in Warri metropolis. Market environment may serve as reservoir of human and plant pathogens due to wastes and debris dumped there that support the growth and proliferation of fungal spores. When these spores are inhaled by people may lead to different types of respiratory diseases. Infections of spores can also increase chances of mycotoxin contamination of food and other agricultural commodities sold in the market.
Abstract
There is always population surge towards physical market because it is a major outlet for purchase of food items and other human needs. Biological contamination of air is one of the serious issues of the environment varying among geographic areas and sampling heights. The aeromycology of three major markets in Warri metropolis which include Effurun market, Igbudu market and Main market using open plate method was evaluated. The study was conducted for the period of six (6) months (April to September, 2017) at two heights: human height (1.5m) and building height (3.5m) and three different locations (foodstuffs, clothing and abattoir sections) in each of these markets. Petri dishes containing PDA medium were exposed for 5 mins and incubated in the laboratory for 2–3 days. Developed fungal colonies were counted and sub-cultured to fresh PDA medium for identification by morphological and microscopic examination using standard identification keys. A total of 6145 colonies with 35 species were isolated and identified. Main fungi identified with their percentage frequency of occurrence include Aspergillus niger 699(11.37%), Mucor mucedo 459(7.47%), Penicillium candidum 404(6.57%), P. digitatum 395(6.43%), Monilia sp 324(5.27%) among others. Off these fungi, members of the Deuteromycotina contributed 46.58%, Ascomycotina 38.76% and Zygomycotina 14.66%. The population of fungal colonies varied from month to month as follows: July>August>June>September>May>April. Human height has 4285(60.73%) colonies while building height was 1860(30.27) colonies. Igbudu market, Main market and Effurun market have 2412, 2030 and 1702 fungal colonies respectively. There are strong indications that these market environments are heavily contaminated with airborne fungal spores which may pose a serious threat to food security and human health. Continuous clean-up exercise of these markets is imperative.
Introduction
The air, depending on the constituents of biological or nonbiological particles regulates the quality of the environment (Mahadeo and Kelpit, 2017). Biological contamination of air can be evaluated by an indoor (intramural) or outdoor (extramural) studies. Their composition and concentration vary greatly with respect to geographical location, human activities, natural sources, meteorological factors, sampling heights and techniques among others (Ginn-Gofron and Bosiacka, 2015: Makut et al., 2014: Mahedeo and Kelpit, 2017: Ghosh et al., 2011).
Atmosphere of market air contains varied fungal spores that are hazardous to human health of which about 80% have been linked with respiratory disorders (Khan and Fatema, 2015; Bhajbhuje and Akare, 2018). Various allergic diseases including Asthma, Aspergilosis, Mycoses, Sinusitis among others have been attributed to inhalation of airborne fungal spores (Ahire and Sangale, 2012; Khan and Fatema, 2015; Hernandez and Martinez, 2018). As opined by Hagale and Patil (2008), airborne fungi have been regarded as indicator of certain level of atmospheric biopollution. Similarly, these fungal spores can settle on surface of food items causing their deterioration thereby reducing the market and nutritive values on one hand and on the other may be toxic to humans when consumed (Okigbo et al., 2008; Atando et al., 2009; Djeri et al., 2010; Fagbohun et al., 2010). On the whole, food security and human health are threatened.
Markets are the major outlet for purchase or sell of food items, agricultural produce and other human needs. To this effect, there is always influx of people in and out of market environment. This study was conducted with the aim to (i) Isolate and identify fungal species of three market environments in Warri metropolis (ii) Study their occurrence in relation to different locations, meteorological data and sampling heights. It is hoped that the result of this study will sensitize the general public on the impact of fungal spores on their health and environment.
Discussion
This study has shown that the three market environments in Warri metropolis were contaminated by abundant fungal spores. Major spore types include those of Aspergillus niger, Mucor mucedo, Penicillium candidum, Monilia sp., Alternaria alternate, Aspergillus flavus, P. digitatum and Curvularia pallescens. Most of these fungi have been documented by other researchers in markets (Hogale and Patil, 2008; Ahire and Sangale, 2012; Kakde and Kakde, 2012; Khan and Fatema, 2015) and other environment (Makut et al., 2014; Prasad et al., 2015; Ilondu and Nweke, 2016; Mahadeo and Kalpit, 2017; Bhajbhuje and Akare, 2018; Njokuocha and Aguru, 2007, Ghosh et al., 2011). Aspergillus species were the most abundant in this study. Similar occurrence was recorded by Kakde and Kakde (2012), Khan and Fatema (2015); Ilondu and Nweke (2016), Ilondu (2017). Some of these fungi are known to cause allergic reactions in human, skin infections, food spoilage and diseases of plant in the field. As the market environment get contaminated by these spores, health challenges like Asthma, Aspergillosis, Eczema, Mycoses, Sinusitis among others become eminent.
Generally, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Curvularia, Penicillium and Cladosporium have the history of being allergenic in nature (Hogale and Patil, 2008; Khan and Fatema, 2015) and have been proven to be biodeteriogens (Reddy, 2018). Mucor, Rhizopus and Absidia cause mucormycosis in man and animals, a species of Cercospora has been a cause of face lesions in man. Candida albican being implicated for various types of candidiasis in man while Geotrichum candidum is known to cause Geotricosis (Sharma, 1989; Hernandez and Martinez, 2018). The involvement of Curvilaria lunatus in human pneumonia has been reported and as opined by Louis et al. (2017), by year 2047, may have been evolved to a phenotype that will make disease management difficult. Botryodiplodia theobromae, Curvularia lunatus, Cercospora, Alternaria cause leafspot disease of many crops (Ilondu, 2013a; 2013b; Metrotra and Agawal, 2004; Shahzady et al., 2017). Accumulation of some of these fungal spores on food has been reported by Okigbo et al. (2008), Ilondu (2017). Species of Aspergillus, Alternaria and Fusarium have been associated with toxin production in stored food (Atanda et al., 2009; Adebayo-Tayo et al., 2009; Djeri et al., 2010; Fagbohun et al., 2010) which may be carcinogenic when consumed. Among all identified spore types, Deuteromycotina was the most abundant group.
Since fungi may react simultaneously to a combination of factors, it may not be easy to separate the influence of individual meteorological factors on the occurrence of these spores (Grinn-Gofron and Basiacka, 2015). The highest number of fungal colonies was recorded in Igbudu market compared to others. It could be due to overcrowding, poor sanitation and other human activities as suggested by Ayanbimpe et al. (2010) that population density affect the quality of environment. More so, lack of basic facilities for waste disposal may favour fungal proliferation. Fungal colonies recorded in building height were less in number compared to human height. Khattab and Estelle (2008) indicated that spore types decreased logarithmically with increase in height from the ground, while more airborne spores at human height may be due to proximity to natural sources at ground level and favourable meteorological conditions which aid release and dispersal of the spores.
Meanwhile, market wastes have been indicated as one key source of fungal spores (Khan and Fatema, 2015). The slaughter section of the markets harboured highest number of fungal colonies, in comparison with foodstuff and clothing sections. It is possible that vigorous activities including dressing of carcass may have led to spread of mycoflora contaminants into the air (Syed and Sarangi, 2013). Nevertheless, the higher colony count in the foodstuff section must have been contributed by decaying and rottening of vegetables and other food items in that section (Khan and Fatema, 2015; Meraj-ul-Haque and Patil, 2016). Similarly, least number of fungal spores recorded in the clothing sections could be as a result of frequent cleaning and some level of hygienic practices observed there (Khan and Fatema, 2015). Therefore the effect of these fungi on human health and food security cannot be over emphasized. Get full articles via original source Fungal contamination of markets in Warri Metropolis: A threat to food security and human health
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