Molecular Characterization of Fungi Associated with Smoked Micromesistius poutassou (Blue whiting) from Different Markets in Lagos, Nigeria.

Micromesistius poutassou (Blue whiting) popularly called ‘’Panla’’ in Nigeria. It is one of the affordable fishes imported to Nigeria. With the rising cost of meat, milk and protein foods, consumers have become increasingly interested in fish as a source of protein for its availability and affordability rate. Smoked samples of Micromesistius poutassou were randomly purchased from ten different markets in ten local governments in Lagos state. This collection (purchase) were carried out between June and November 2019 (6 months). The associated fungi were isolated using the pour-plate method and extracted its DNA with the aid of Zymo DNA extraction kit. The extracted fungal DNA were amplified by PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) using specific internal transcribed spacer primer (ITS1/ITS4) and sequenced. Of the total 480 smoked Micromesistius poutassou sampled, ten fungi species were identified and characterised. These fungi include: Kodamaea ohmeri, Daldinia eschscholtzii, Aspergillus longivesica, Aspergillus flavus, Phoma sp, Aspergillus sp, Mucor circinelloides, Aspergillus tamarii, Aspergillus niger, and Geotrichum candidum. Results from this study revealed that smoked Micromesistius poutassou, which are being consumed by Lagosians on the daily basis were heavily contaminated with pathogenic fungi.