Abstract

This study was undertaken to quantitatively and qualitatively estimate microbial and aflatoxin content in ready to eat groundnut pastes sold in some markets in Anambra and Edo States Nigeria A total of 100 samples of ready- to eat groundnut pastes packaged in plastic cans and low density polyethylene were purchased from some marketsin Anambra State Head Bridge Ogbaru Agulu Mgbuka and Awka and Edo State Oba market Santana New Benin Uselu and Oregbeni The samples were analyzed microbiologically and physicochemically using standard procedures Aflatoxin detection was done using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ELISA Bacteria species associated with the samples were identified as Staphylococcus aureus Bacillus cereus Bacillus subtilis Micrococcus roseus Esherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa while fungi include Aspergillus flavus Aspergillus tamarii Aspergillus niger Aspergillus fumigates and species of Penicillium and Fusarium Total bacterial count ranged from 2 50 0 61 x 104 5 54 0 50 x 104 cfu g Lowest bacterial count 2 50 0 61x 104 cfu g was obtained in Awka market while the highest 5 54 0 50 x 104 cfu g was from Oba market The fungal counts ranged from 1 70 0 99 x 103 5 60 0 65 x 103 cfu g with Uselu market having the lowest counts 1 70 0 99 x 103 cfu g and Ogbaru market in Anambra State having the highest counts 5 60 0 65 x 103 cfu g Aflatoxin content of the samples ranged from 1 1 0 07 143 9 2 72 ppb The presence of pathogenic bacteria and aflatoxin in the ready-to-eat groundnut paste pose a potential health challenge to the consumers in some parts of Anambra and Edo States Nigeria