The consumption of food supplements such as Spirulina and Moringa is increasing in developing countries.However, these foods, due to certain processing conditions, are likely to be contaminated by moulds potentially producing dangerous mycotoxins. The objective of this study is to determine the level of contamination and the diversity of fungal flora found in Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and Moringa (Moringa oleifera) powder produced and marketed in Abidjan. A total of 360 samples of powder, including 144 of Spirulina and 216 of Moringa, were collected from different sales outlets. The identification of fungal isolates was carried out on the basis of classical mycology criteria. The prevalence of fungal strains in the analyzed products was 85.83%, which 77.99% in Spirulina and 22.01% in Moringa. The predominant species were Aspergillus flavus (24.6%), Aspergillus niger (21.68%), Penicillium sp (20.71%), and Aspergillus fumigatus (12.62%). The study shows that Spirulina powder and Moringa powder sold in markets are contaminated with moulds, some of which are potentially mycotoxin producers posing a health risk to consumers. Strict hygiene measures must be observed during the production and marketing of Moringa and Spirulina powders in order to prevent any poisoning among consumers.
Moringa oleifera, traditionally consumed in some countries, is now widely distributed throughout the tropics, particularly in Africa. It is consumed in the form of food supplements in Côte d'Ivoire. However, the production method of Moringa leaf powder could be a source of contamination by potentially mycotoxigenic moulds. The objective of this work was to evaluate the level of contamination of Moringa powder by Aspergillus Spp strains and to detect the genes involved in the biosynthesis of aflatoxin B1. A total of 288 samples of Moringa powder were collected from vendors in six communes of Abidjan district. Isolation and purification of Aspergillus isolates were performed on Sabouraud medium with chloramphenicol. The identification of these strains was carried out by macroscopic and microscopic observations. The molecular aspect of the Aspergillus species and the detection of the Nor, Ver, AvfA and AflR1 genes, involved in the biosynthesis process of aflatoxin B1, were carried out by PCR. The results show that the contamination rate of Moringa powder by Aspergillus spp was 62.46% with a predominance of Aspergillus niger (33.16%). Other species namely Aspergillus flavus (27.07%), Aspergillus fumigatus (24.87%) and Aspergillus terreus (13.98%) were also observed. The prevalences of strains harbouring the AflR1, Nor, Ver, and AvfA genes were 70.47%, 73.07%, 52.85% and 41.97% respectively. Strains harbouring AflR, Nor, Ver, and AvfA genes simultaneously were also detected in proportions of 39.37%. The presence of Aspergillus harbouring the genes coding for Aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis in Moringa powder could constitute a health risk for the consumer.
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