Analysis of Fungal Flora of a Soil Near Biology Laboratory of COOU ULI
Ejimofor Chiamaka Frances *
Department of Biological Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Oledibe Odira Johnson
Department of Botany, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Nwakoby Nnamdi Enoch
Department of Microbiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Afam-Ezeaku Chikaodili Eziamaka
Department of Botany, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Mbaukwu Onyinye Ann
Department of Botany, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In order to suggest the most effective management strategies, an analysis of the fungal flora in the soil next to the biology laboratory at the COOU Uli campus was conducted. By plating washings from skin surfaces and liquid taken from soil samples in test tubes containing sabourd dextrose agar (SDA) and potato dextrose agar (PDA), which had been mixed with streptomycin sulphate to prevent bacterial growth, fungi were isolated, characterised, and identified. 48 hours were spent incubating the inoculated tubes at 28 2°C. The genera of the isolated fungus include Aspergillus (40%), Mucor (30%), Fusarium (10%), Penicillium (10%), and Geotrichum (10%), with Aspergillus accounting for the majority of their occurrences. This study revealed that the two common genera of fungi were Aspergillus and Mucor, and that the number of colony forming units of the two genera in the soil studied exceeded the tolerance limits in foodstuffs specified by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF). As a result, it is advised that proper precaution should be taken when interacting with soil samples from the study areas.
Keywords: Soil, flora, food, fungi