Abstract

GARRI AND AKAMU AS AN ALTERNATIVE MEDIA FOR THE GROWTH OF FUNGI

Mbajiuka Chinedu S.*

Abstract

The high cost of microbial culture media necessitates the screening and production of alternative media from cheap local materials. Mycological culture media has a great role to play in the growth and sporulation of fungi. In this study, the feasibility of using nutrient sources from Garri (a tuber product) and Akamu (a cereal product) to cultivate fungal species was investigated together with a conventional media-Sabouraud Dextrose agar (SDA) which served as control. Soil samples were serially diluted up to the 6th dilution and were inoculated into the SDA, Akamu and Garri medium using pour plate and spread plate techniques from the 4th dilution tube. Growth of the fungal species was observed to be slightly lower in the alternative media but was about the same to the control (SDA). The isolates were identified based on preliminary morphology and microscopic examination. They were species of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Rhizopus. From the percentage mean of each isolate, 89% of Penicillium grew on SDA. This was closely followed by Garri with 76% and Akamu with 32%. The frequency of isolation of Aspergillus was 38% on SDA, 37% on Garri and 65% on Akamu. Rhizopus recorded 64% in SDA, 57% in Garri and 16% in Akamu. SDA has been reported to be a better media for the cultivation of fungi but however, results from this study shows that hot-water made Garri and Akamu can compete favourably with SDA. Colony radical growth and sporulation of fungi were optimal for Aspergillus on Akamu (21mm) after 72hrs followed by Penicillium on SDA (18.2mm) after 72hrs The results from this research work shows that alternative media produced from maize and cassava (cheap raw materials) can be used for the cultivation of fungi in scenarios where acquiring conventional media is difficult.

Keywords: Gari, Akamu, Fungi, Mould.