Abstract

Monodora myristica (calabash nutmeg), Piper guineense (Ashanti pepper) and Xylopia aethiopica (black pepper) seeds were screened for mycotoxigenic fungi, and the results showed that they were contaminated by molds belonging to seven genera: Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Thallospora, Geotricum, Dactyllela sp, Botryodema, and Curvularia, Aspergillus spp. being the most genera, with ten species. These ten species were A. flavus and A. niger from Monodora myristica; A. foetidus from Piper guineense (Ashanti pepper) and Xylopia aethiopica (black pepper); A. fumigatus, A. terreus, A. terreus, A. tamarii and A. clavatum from Monodora myristica only; A. ochraceous and A. japonicus from Xylopia aethiopica. Monodora myristica had the highest fungal contaminations, with more of the Aspergillus species affecting it, followed by Piper guineense. Dactyllela candida and Curvularia lunata were isolated from Xylopia aethiopica only; Botryoderma sp was isolated from only Piper guineense, while Thallospora aspera, Geotricum candidum, and Trichoderma viride were isolated from Monodora myristica.