Mycological Assessment of <i>Suya</i> Sold in Some Parts of Minna, Niger State

Abstract

Mycological assessments of Suya sold in some part of Minna were conducted. A  total of 20 samples were collected from 10 randomly selected suya spots from ten (10) locations in Minna namely- Tunga, Ungwan Daji , Dutsen Kuran Hausa,  Chanchaga, Bosso, Maikunkele, Maitumbi, Kwangila, Barikin Sale and Sayeko. The percentage moisture content of the suya, isolation and identification of fungi species were determined using standard procedures. Suya from Tunga, Maikunkele and  Sayeko had the highest percentage moisture content (44%) each while suya from Dutsen Kuran Hausa had the least % moisture content (28%). There were  significant difference (α=0.05) between % moisture content of suya from different locations A total of fifty seven (57) fungi isolates were obtained from suya in all sampled locations. Fungi species such as Candida tropicalis, Penicillium  chrysogenum, Aspergillus niger Mucor spp, Aspergillus flavus ,Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium digitatum, Fusarium solanii, Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus fumingatus were observed from the suya sample locations. Barikin Sale (BKS) suya sample had the highest occurrence of fungal isolates (7) while suya from Unguwan Daji (UDJ), Maikunkele (MKL) and Kwangila (KGL) had the least fungal isolates of 4. Aspergillus niger, Candida tropicalis and Mucor spp were the prominent isolates from all the sampled locations while Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium digitatum had the least number of occurrence from all locations. The presence of these fungi species in the suya samples collected from selected locations within Minna metropolis is a strong indication of poor hygiene by the vendors in preparation of the suya products. The awareness of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCPs) system in suya preparation by vendors could reduce or eliminate contaminations of the suya products when put into proper use.

Keywords: Mycological assessment, fungal isolates, suya, moisture, fungi