MORPHOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF AUTOCHTHONOUS FUNGAL POPULATION IN SLAUGHTERHOUSE EFFLUENT, SURFACE WATER AND FISH GUT FROM THE OGUN RIVER, NIGERIA

Abstract

Paper summary generated by OpenAI: This study investigates the morphological, biochemical, and molecular characteristics of pathogenic fungi present in slaughterhouse effluent, surface water, and fish gut samples from the Ogun River in Nigeria. Sampling was conducted during the 2018 dry and rainy seasons, revealing a diverse fungal population, including species such as Penicillium sp., Fusarium oxysporum, and Aspergillus flavus, which were found in both the effluent and fish gut. The findings indicate significant contamination due to anthropogenic activities at the Kara Abattoir, posing potential environmental and public health risks. The study advocates for improved effluent treatment facilities and policy measures to mitigate these impacts, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for health and aquatic life.