Quality Assessment of Processed Garri (White And Red) Sold in Four Different Markets in Rivers State

Abstract

Study on the quality assessment of different forms of processed garri stored for three months was carried out in the Department of Pant Science and Biotechnology, Rivers State University. The cultural laboratory technique was used for isolation, characterization and determination of fungal incidence. The first month assessment revealed Umiba red samples recorded Penicillium, Microsporium and Aspergilliusflavus at 60%, 30% and 20% incidence respectively while the white samples recorded no fungal organisms. Only Alternaria was observed for the Borri red samples, although the white samples had no contamination. Mgbede samples showed only Fusarium sp to be associated with the white form, while the redgarri had no contamination. Omuetche recorded no fungal isolates for both red and white forms of garri. Month two evaluation showed Ubima red garri to contain Penicillium, Microsporium and A.flavus at 10%, 70% and 20% incidence respectively, whereas the white from recorded no contamination. Omuetche red garri recorded the presence of Rhizopus and Penicillium at 70% and 30% respectively, however the white samples had Mucor (80%) and Candida (20%). Borri recorded only Alternaria for the red samples while no fungal contamination was seen for the white form. Mgbede red samples had no contamination but Fusarium was recorded for the white sample. At month three, Ubima red garri recorded only Aspergillus while Rhizopus (60%) and Candida (40%) were observed for the white samples. Omuetche recorded Rhizopus and Candida for red and white garri respectively. Alternaria and Mucor were recorded for Borri red and white garri respectively. While Fusarium (30%) and Aspergillusfumigatus (70%) were recorded for the Mgbede white garri, no fungal organism was recorded for the red samples. Generally, the different forms of garri obtaianed from various locations had contaminations when stored for three months with an exception for Mgbede red garri.