Isolation of Antifungal Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) from "Kunu" against Toxigenic .

The antifungal activity of isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from a locally fermented cereal, "Kunu", was tested against toxigenic . The liquid refreshment, "Kunu", was prepared under hygienic condition using millet, sorghum, and the combination of the two grains. The antifungal potential of isolated LAB against toxigenic was carried out using both and antifungal assays. The LAB count from prepared "Kunu" ranged from 2.80 ×10 CFU/mL to 4.10×10 CFU/mL and , , , , and were the isolated bacteria. Inhibitory zones exhibited by LAB against toxigenic ranged from 5.0 mm to 20.0 mm. The albino mice infected with toxigenic showed sluggishness, decrease in body weight, distortion of hair, and presence of blood in their stool, while those treated with LAB after infection were recovered and active like those in control groups. Except for the white blood cell that was increased in the infected mice as 6.73 mm, the packed cell volume, hemoglobin, and red blood cell in infected animals were significantly reduced (<0.05) to 29.28%, 10.06%, and 4.28%, respectively, when compared to the treated mice with LAB and control groups. The antifungal activity of LAB against toxigenic can be attributed to the antimicrobial metabolites. These metabolites can be extracted and used as biopreservatives in food products to substitute the use of chemical preservatives that is not appealing to consumers due to several side effects.