Occurrence, diversity and toxigenicity of fungi isolated from the udder of lactating cows

Authors

  • Oyeku OG Pure and Applied Biology Programme, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
  • Atobatele BO Microbiology Programme, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
  • Akinola OT Microbiology Programme, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
  • Aromolaran O Microbiology Programme, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
  • Ayansina ADV Microbiology Programme, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
  • Oluranti OO Microbiology Programme, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
  • Majolagbe ON Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Microbiology Unit, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
  • Akinsola OA Microbiology Programme, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
  • Omotayo OE Pure and Applied Biology Programme, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
  • Nejo YT Department of Virology, College of Medicine (UCH), University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
  • Oke AA Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Allied Health Sciences, McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo. Ogun State. Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38029/babcockuniv.med.j..v9i3.1140

Keywords:

Aflatoxin, Cattle, Fungi, Mycotoxins, Milk

Abstract

Objectives: This study examines toxigenic fungi associated with the udder of lactating cows.

Methods: The teats of forty-three (n = 43) lactating cows in Olupoona, Southwest Nigeria, were swabbed using labelled sterile cotton-tipped swabs. The swabs were transported to the laboratory, individually streaked on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and incubated at 25 °C for 72 hours. Distinct fungal isolates were sub-cultured on fresh PDA and subjected to molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis. The occurrence of each fungal morphotype was computed. Potentially toxigenic isolates were analysed for Aflatoxin B1 (AFTB1) production, using a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography protocol. Student’s T-test was used to evaluate for a significant difference in AFTB1 production between toxigenic isolates.

Results: Culturable fungi were detected in 11 (25.6%) out of the 43 samples. A total of 5 distinct fungal isolates were obtained and identified as Penicillium oxalicum, Penicillium citrinum, Fusarium brachygibbosum, Mucor irregularis and Curvularia lunata. Penicillium citrinum was the most occurring isolate (11.6%) while Mucor irregularis and Curvularia lunata were the least occurring (2.3% each). AFTB1 was detected in the extract of Penicillium citrinum and Fusarium brachygibbosum. The amount of AFTB1 detected in the extract of F. brachygibbosum (0.22 ± 0.04 ppm) was significantly higher than that detected in the extract of P. citrinum (0.08 ± 0.04 ppm).

Conclusion: This study raises potential public health concerns and emphasises the need to take proper hygiene measures during the milking process.

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Published

2026-09-30

How to Cite

Oyeku, G., Atobatele, B., Akinola, O., Aromolaran, O., Ayansina, A., Oluranti, O., Majolagbe, O., Akinsola, O., Omotayo, O., Nejo, Y., & Oke, A. (2026). Occurrence, diversity and toxigenicity of fungi isolated from the udder of lactating cows. Babcock University Medical Journal, 9(3), 163–172. https://doi.org/10.38029/babcockuniv.med.j.v9i3.1140

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 3 (2026)

Section

Research Article

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Oyeku OG, Atobatele BO, Akinola OT, Aromolaran O, Ayansina ADV, Oluranti OO, Majolagbe ON, Akinsola OA, Omotayo OE, Nejo YT, Oke AA

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.