Biochemistry http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/61 2026-05-01T22:36:31Z 2026-05-01T22:36:31Z Sanyang, Ansumana Makun, H. A Muhammad, Hadiza Lami Badmos, Fatima Omolola http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/30527 2026-04-06T18:52:35Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Natural Occurrence of Fungi and Aflatoxins Contamination in Maize, Rice and Sorghum from Gashaka Taraba State, Nigeria Authors: Sanyang, Ansumana; Makun, H. A; Muhammad, Hadiza Lami; Badmos, Fatima Omolola Abstract: Aflatoxin contamination poses a significant public health risk in The Gambia due to its prevalence in staple crops and its association with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study assessed aflatoxin levels in maize, groundnuts, rice, and millet, and evaluated dietary exposure and liver cancer risks in the Gambian population. Aflatoxin quantification using HPLC-FLD revealed high contamination levels, particularly in groundnuts (57.5 ± 6.8 μg/kg) and maize (29.7 ± 4.2 μg/kg). Dietary exposure assessment showed that children aged 1–6 years had the highest exposure, with groundnuts contributing 350.0 ng/kg/day and maize 146.4 ng/kg/day. Margin of Exposure (MOE) values were critically low, indicating severe health risks. The estimated liver cancer risk for HBV-positive individuals was highest in children (29 cases per 100,000 from groundnuts and 12 cases per 100,000 from maize), with significant risks also observed in adults. These findings highlight the urgent need for aflatoxin mitigation strategies. Recommendations include improved pre- and post-harvest handling, investment in better storage facilities, and enforcement of regulatory limits, public health awareness campaigns, and continuous monitoring. Implementing these strategies will help reduce aflatoxin exposure and associated health risks in the Gambia.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Edzili, Awono Antoine Thierry Ossamulu, Ifeanyi Famous Muhammad, Hadiza Kudu Salubuyi, Susan Bekosa Shingu, Jesse Polly Garba, Umar Faruk Emmanuel, Augustine Mahmud, Abdulkabir Aloaye Eustace, Dogo Muhammad, Hadiza Lami Justin, Essia Ngang Jean Makun, H. A http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/30526 2026-04-06T18:42:04Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Natural Occurrence of Fungi and Aflatoxins Contamination in Maize, Rice and Sorghum from Gashaka Taraba State, Nigeria Authors: Edzili, Awono Antoine Thierry; Ossamulu, Ifeanyi Famous; Muhammad, Hadiza Kudu; Salubuyi, Susan Bekosa; Shingu, Jesse Polly; Garba, Umar Faruk; Emmanuel, Augustine; Mahmud, Abdulkabir Aloaye; Eustace, Dogo; Muhammad, Hadiza Lami; Justin, Essia Ngang Jean; Makun, H. A Abstract: This work aimed to determine fungi profile and Aflatoxin levels in maize, rice, and sorghum consumed in Gashaka Local Government, Taraba State, Nigeria. Eighteen samples of maize (6), rice (6), and sorghum (6) from markets and stores were analyzed for fungi profiling and Aflatoxins using the conventional method of identification and Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) method respectively. Forty-one fungi species were isolated in maize, 36 in rice, and 26 in sorghum. Rice samples collected from the markets had the highest mean fungal load of (12.47 ± 10.01) x 10⁴ CFU/g while sorghum samples from the market had the lowest fungal load of (2.03 ± 1.27) x 10⁴ CFU/g. The predominant genera isolated were Aspergillus sp, Fusarium, and Penicillium sp. Aspergillus flavus (14.63%) and Aspergillus tamarii (14.63%) were the most prevalent species in maize. Aspergillus niger (13.88 %) and Aspergillus flavus (11.11 %) were predominant in rice. Fusarium solani (19.23%) and Fusarium oxysporum (13.79 %) were more prevalent in sorghum. Aflatoxins analysis revealed that 16.66% and 27.77 % of the samples exceeded the 2 μg/Kg and 4 μg/Kg EU maximum regulatory limit for AFB1 and total aflatoxins, respectively, in all cereals intended for direct human consumption. Rice from the market had the highest Aflatoxin B1 contamination (15.52±0.0 μg/kg), followed by maize from the market (4.15±2.28 μg/kg). Aflatoxins G2 (2.09±0.00 μg/kg) and Aflatoxin B1 (1.87±0.18 μg/kg) were most prevalent in stored maize. This study confirms low levels of Aflatoxins contamination in cereals from Taraba State but levels in rice exceed the European Union regulatory levels, raising public health concerns.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Haruna, Aliyu Evuti Alhaji, Nma Bida Adama, John Yisa Monday, Onakpa Michael Muhammad, Hadiza Lami Makun, H. A http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/30520 2026-04-04T20:33:52Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Assessments of Residues of Pesticide in Cattle and Cattle Products and Associated Public Health Challenges in North Central, Nigeria Authors: Haruna, Aliyu Evuti; Alhaji, Nma Bida; Adama, John Yisa; Monday, Onakpa Michael; Muhammad, Hadiza Lami; Makun, H. A Abstract: Residues of pesticide in animal tissues are an increasing concern due to their potential harm to human health. To assess the associated risks, pesticide concentrations were analyzed in five edible bovine tissues: muscle, liver, kidney, and tongue. Health risk estimates were calculated using the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), and Hazard Index (HI) for two age and weight groups: children aged 1–11 years with an average weight of 30 kg, and adults weighing 70 kg. Pesticide residues were detected in the following ranges: 2.38–3.87 g kg-1 in muscle, 3.59–6.4 g kg-1 in liver, 1.88–4.55 g kg-1 in kidney, and 2.55–4.36 g kg-1 in tongue. The order of pesticide residue quantity across the tissues was: Liver > Tongue > Muscle > Kidney. All pesticide levels measured in the tissues were below the established maximum residue limits (MRLs). However, the HQ values for heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, and dieldrin, along with HI values for organochlorines, exceeded 1. This suggests a potential for non-carcinogenic health risks, particularly for infant, from consuming contaminated bovine tissues.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Haruna, Aliyu Evuti Alhaji, Nma Bida Adama, John Yisa Monday, Onakpa Michael Muhammad, Hadiza Lami Makun, Hussaini Anthony http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/30519 2026-04-04T20:25:18Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Milk from Agro-Pastoral Cattle Settlements in Niger State, Nigeria: Implications for Public Health and Food Safety Authors: Haruna, Aliyu Evuti; Alhaji, Nma Bida; Adama, John Yisa; Monday, Onakpa Michael; Muhammad, Hadiza Lami; Makun, Hussaini Anthony Abstract: The presence of pesticide residues in food products, particularly milk, poses significant public health risks, especially in developing regions where agricultural practices often involve extensive pesticide use. This study aimed to assess the levels of pesticide contamination in milk collected from agro-pastoral cattle settlements in Niger State, Nigeria, and evaluate the associated health risks for both children and adults. Milk samples were systematically collected and analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) to detect and quantify the concentrations of various pesticides, including organophosphates, organochlorines, and herbicides. The detected pesticides included Dichlorvos, β-Hexachlorocyclohexane, Malathion, DDT, and Dieldrin, among others, with Dichlorvos and β-Hexachlorocyclohexane showing the highest concentrations. Using the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) model, we calculated the potential health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated milk for different age groups. The results indicated that children were particularly at risk, with EDI values exceeding the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for certain pesticides, such as Dieldrin, leading to a risk ratio of 1.288. In contrast, adults showed a lower risk, with EDI values generally within safe limits. The findings underscore the urgent need for stricter pesticide regulation, enhanced monitoring of pesticide residues in livestock products, and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to mitigate the public health risks. This study highlights the vulnerability of children to pesticide exposure through dairy consumption and calls for immediate intervention to safeguard food safety and protect public health.

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