Groundnut Shell Infusion Agar as a Culture Medium for Moulds

Aim: To carry out a Comparative mould analysis using groundnut shell infusion agar (GSA) and potato dextrose agar (PDA), as the control.

Study Design: Laboratory-experimental design was used in this study.

Place and Duration of Study: Soil samples were obtained from three different locations (Garden soil beside Biology Main Laboratory, opposite Faculty of Law and Faculty of Agriculture) in Rivers State University, Port Harcourt Rivers State, Nigeria. The study was carried out for three (3) months at the Microbiology Laboratory, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.

Methodology: Groundnut Shell Infusion Agar (GSA) was prepared by weighing 28 g of blended gari and 15 g of agar powder into 1L of groundnut shells filtrate. Potato dextrose Agar (PDA), a conventional medium was prepared according to the manufacturer’s specifications. GSA was prepared by weighing 28 g of blended gari and 15 g of agar powder into 1L of groundnut shells filtrate. Potato dextrose agar, a conventional medium was prepared according to the Manufacturer’s specifications.

Results: The mean mould counts from the different locations ranged from 3.7×107 cfu/ml to 7.8×107 cfu/ml on GSA and 3.7×107 cfu/ml to 1.5×109 cfu/ml on PDA following incubation at room temperature (27°c ± 2) for 3-5 days. The moulds identified were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Trichoderma viride, Rhizopus sp. Mucor sp. Botrytis sp. Helminthosporium caryopsidum, and Penicillum sp.

Conclusion: From the results obtained, it showed that GSA could be used successfully for quantitative mould counts and other mycological studies. This would proffer solution to the high cost of conventional media used for moulds as well as agro waste pollution in the environment.