Mycotoxic flora and mycotoxins in smoke‐dried fish from Sierra Leone

Abstract

Examination of 20 samples of smoke-dried fish of the Ethmolosa sp. commonly called “Bonga”, from homes and markets in Njala (Sierra Leone) revealed the presence of 4 Aspergilli species: A. flavus Links ex Fries, A. ochraceus Wilhelm, A. tamarii Kita and A. niger van Tieghem. Fresh or properly preserved smoke-dried fish showed no signs of fungal contamination. Mouldy fish extracts contained varying amounts of aflatoxins B₁, G₁, G₂ and ochratoxin A. Isolates of A. flavus grown on yeast extract sucrose (YES) medium, produced considerable amounts of aflatoxin B₁ and G₁ and trace amounts of G₂. On YES medium A. ochraceus produced large amounts of ochratoxin A but no penicillic acid.