Investigation on the Comparative Diversity and Public Health Significance of Soil and Air Mycoflora of Federal University of Technology Campus, Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to comparatively investigate the soil and air mycoflora of selected densely populated locations within the Federal University of Akure (F.U.T.A) Campus. Isolation of fungi from soil and air was done for each sample point using pour plate and exposed air techniques respectively according to specified World Health Organization standards. The mean total mycelial counts (TMC) for soil (10.75±1.25 Sfu/ml) was significantly (p<0.05) different from that of air (6.25±1.75 Sfu/ml). Fungal isolates were identified by comparing the macro-morphological (cultural) and micro-morphological characteristics of different isolates obtained with the available literature. A total of 15 different fungal isolate types were identified from both soil and air across the sampling points, they include: Fusarium avenaceum, Byssochlamys nivea, Candida albicans, Engyodontium album, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria infectora, Chaetomium globosum, Rhizopus oryzae, Mucor circinelloides, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Mucor racemosus, Acremonium strictum, and Aspergillus parasiticus respectively with Aspergillus niger been the highest occurring fungal isolate of public health importance. The possible health implications of the findings of this study were fully discussed in relation to sample points where each isolate predominantly occurred as potential risks or threat of mycotoxicoses, subcutaneous mycoses and systemic mycoses in each sample point were fully discussed. Proper waste disposal habits are however recommended across different sample locations to reduce potential risk incidence of mycotic infections and food poisoning among respondents.