THE PREVALENCE OF Candida albican IN GARRI SOLD IN OZORO

ABSTRACT

Garri is a fermented cassava product consumed as a staple food in most parts of West African. The prevalence of Candidaalbican in garri sold in ozoro was carried out to characterize predominant fungi associated with garri. Ten (10) different samples of garri were periodically bought from Ozoro central markets. The samples were labeled sample A-J. A total of three (3) fungi species were isolated from the test samples: Aspergillus spp., Candida albican, and Mould. The total heterotrophic plate count ranges from 2.4×10³cfu/ml to3.2×10³cfu/ml. Candidaalbican have the highest percentage occurrence of 62.5%, while Mould species have the least percentage occurrence of 12.5%. The pH of the samples ranged from 6.0 to 6.2. The occurrence of Aspergillusspp, mould and Candidaalbican indicates a strong likely hood of cross contamination between handling and utensils used during the garri fermentation or production processes of the exterior region.