Kasimu Shehu
Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L) is an economically important crop and widely consumed in many parts of the world including Nigeria. Fungi exhibit greater species richness than most other organisms and, thus, are of significant environmental and economic importance. The fungal contaminants of groundnut products from three Agricultural zones of Sokoto state were characterized using morphological and molecular techniques;colonial morphology, cultural features, spore pigmentation, PCR and RAPD assay. Eight (8) fungal species (Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. parasiticum,Fusarium, Penicillium, Rhizopus Curvaleria and Mucur species) were identified.Fungal isolates were confirmed by PCR using ITS1/ITS4, ITS1/NIG and ITS1/FLA. The findings from this study suggest that groundnut products obtained from Sokoto stateare substantially contaminated with potentially mycotoxigenic fungi. Relevant quality control agencies should be reactivated to assess the quality of the Groundnut kernels from which the Groundnut cake, oil and other products are mad.