CHARATERIZATION OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI FROM BITTER KOLA WITH INFERRED MYCOTOXIGENIC POTENCIAL
Abstract
Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that live symbiotically inside plant tissues. While some may be beneficial, others are known to produce secondary metabolites which produce mycotoxins that are harmful. Bitter kola (Gracinia kola), is a traditional medicine widely used in West Africa and it is known to harbour diverse microbes especially those concerned with toxin production. The bitter kola used for this research work underwent sterilization and afterwards they were plated on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) to isolate endophytic fungi that were present on it. Pure fungal cultures were gotten and identified based on their macroscopic and microscopic features. The findings showed several fungal genera including those known for mycotoxin production. This suggests that even medicinal substances such as bitter kola can host potential harmful fungi. These findings are important as they highlight the potential health risks associated with the consumption of untreated bitter kola. Isolation and identification of endophytic fungi from bitter kola (Garcinia kola) with inferred mycotoxiic potential
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