Aflatoxin is a word derived from Aspergillus spp toxin which is naturally occurring mycotoxins that is produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus species of fungi. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify aflatoxin producing fungi from four different grains (maize, rice, cowpea, and groundnut). During the research, four (4) different grain samples were obtained from Shuwarin market (Kiyawa L.G.A), Jigawa state. The samples were analyzed for microbial examination through serial dilution, inoculation, incubation, subculture and microscopy. Six (6), fungal species were isolated which included Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus sp, Penicillium sp, Fusarium sp, Cladosporium sp and Aspergillus niger, where A. niger has the highest number of isolates (16; 40%), Rhizopus sp with 12 (30%) isolates, and A. flavus having 8 isolates (20%), Penicillium sp, 2 (5%), Cladosporium sp has and Fusarium sp has 1(2.5%) having 1 (2.5%), each, having the lowest number of isolate. Furthermore, the samples were also used to detect the presence of aflatoxin using thin layer chromatography technique (TLC). The contamination levels found ranged from the relative factor value (Rf) for maize, the Rf 0.94 registering the highest level of aflatoxin content and groundnut with Rf value of 0.08 registering the lowest level of aflatoxin content. This is due to improper harvesting, handling, processing, storage, and poor hygiene of the farmers and vendors. Therefore, the farmers and vendors have to be trained and enlightened on the method of harvesting, storage, handling, processing, transportation and selling of cereals and legumes so as to reduce the risk of causing health problems to the consumers.
Accumulating synthetic pesticides in the living system has brought about several critical alerts from researchers as it interferes with the essential processes in the body. Metal oxide nanoparticles possess suitable properties including band gap and have played an important role in the photocatalytic degradation of toxic chemicals in wastewater and the environment under natural solar radiation. This research aims at the photocatalytic degradation of Type II Pyrethroid Pesticide (Lambda-cyhalothrin) in wastewater and agricultural runoff using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles. The synthesized ZnO Nanoparticle (NP) was ascertained by characterization using XRD for material crystallinity and crystallite size, SEM, and particle size analysis for surface morphology and size. The EDAX spectra confirmed the presence of Zinc elements and showed that the synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles were pure. The degradation experiment was conducted under natural solar irradiation. The initial and final/equilibrium concentration of Lambda-cyhalothrin residue were determined using High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) followed by computation of degradation capacity. Photocatalytic degradation of LCY was successful following the application of Zinc oxide NPs as nanocatalysts with an efficiency of about 87% as compared to the control. The synthesized Nanoparticle was found to degrade a large percentage of Lambda-cyhalothrin residue in wastewater. Exploiting its application in the remediation of pesticides in agricultural runoff may be crucial at this point.
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