Environmental and fungal contamination of palm oil sold in Anyigba Market, Nigeria

Abstract

In this present study, the environmental and fungal contamination of palm oil collected from Anyigba market, Nigeria was investigated. Results revealed the presence of 0.3% moisture, 0.2% impurity and 6.0% free fatty acid. These values were higher than the acceptable values for palm oil as recommended by the Nigerian Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) Research. Microbial content of the palm oil samples showed the following isolates Phialophora jeanselmei, Trichophyton schoeuleinii and Microsporum canis. The presence of these potentially harmful microorganisms in the palm oil samples portrays a relative health hazards to the consumers of the product. The quality of palm oil may thus be affected by environmental and fungal content. Consequently, an improved method of handling, processing and storage is advocated.