Isolation and Identification of Pathogenic Fungi from Street Foods in Dhaka City: Antifungal Sensitivity Patterns and Effects of Star Anise Extract
Farzana Akter Mony1*, Md Moshiur Rahman2, Md. Abdur Rahman3, Dr. Nusrat Kabir4, Birupaksha Biswas5, Md Anwarul Islam6, Moushumi Afroza Mou7, Debashis Chandra Das8
Microbial Bioactives 7(1) 1-10 https://doi.org/10.25163/microbbioacts.7110014
Submitted: 12 May 2024 Revised: 10 July 2024 Published: 12 July 2024
Abstract
Background: Street foods in South Asian countries, particularly Bangladesh, are popular yet pose significant food safety risks due to microbial contamination. These risks stem from unhygienic handling practices, inadequate storage conditions, and the use of harmful additives, leading to a high incidence of foodborne illnesses. This study investigates the microbial contamination of street foods in Dhaka and evaluates the efficacy of star anise (Illicium verum) as a natural antifungal agent. Methods: Fifteen street food samples were collected across Dhaka and analyzed for fungal contaminants. Star anise was extracted using methanol, and antifungal sensitivity tests were conducted using standard disk diffusion techniques against isolated fungi, including Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Candida spp. Results: Antifungal testing revealed that synthetic agents such as Amphotericin B and Ketoconazole effectively inhibited Aspergillus species. Star anise extracts demonstrated issues associated with street foods in Bangladesh and underscore the potential of star anise as a natural preservative. This research advocates for improved food safety practices and regulatory measures to mitigate health risks in street food consumption, contributing to moderate to high antifungal activity, particularly against Aspergillus niger, indicating its potential as a natural alternative to synthetic antifungal agents. Conclusion: The findings highlight critical food safety public health improvements in similar contexts.
Keywords: Street Food, Microbial Contamination, Star Anise, Antifungal Activity, Food Safety
References
Al, A. S. (2016). Identification and analysis of major street fast food borne pathogenic fungi and its sensitivity of Nystatin. Indian Journal of Microbiology Research, 166.
Ali, M., Khan, M., & Saha, M. L. (2011). Antibiotic resistant patterns of bacterial isolates from ready-to-eat (RTE) street vended fresh vegetables and fruits in Dhaka City. Bangladesh Journal of Scientific Research, 24(2), 127–134.
Baik, J. S., Kim, S. S., Lee, J. A., Oh, T. H., Kim, J. Y., & Lee, N. H. (2008). Chemical composition and biological activities of essential oils extracted from Korean endemic citrus species. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 18(1), 74–79.
Barro, N., Bello, A. R., Savadogo, A., Ouattara, C. A. T., Ilboudo, A. J., & Traore, A. S. (2006). Hygienic status assessment of dish washing waters, utensils, hands, and pieces of money from street food processing sites in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). African Journal of Biotechnology, 5(11), 1107–1112.
Bhat, R. V., & Vasanthi, S. (2003). Food safety in food security and food trade: Mycotoxin food safety risk in developing countries. International Food Policy Research Institute.
Castaño, G., Etchart, C., & Sookoian, S. (2006). Vitamin A toxicity in a physical culturist patient: A case report and review of the literature. Annals of Hepatology, 5(4), 293–395.
De, M., De, A. K., Sen, P., & Banerjee, A. B. (2002). Antimicrobial properties of star anise (Illicium verum Hook f.). Phytotherapy Research, 16, 94–95.
De, M., De, A. K., Sen, P., & Banerjee, A. B. (2002). Antimicrobial properties of star anise (Illicium verum Hook f.). Phytotherapy Research, 16, 94–95.
Easa, S. (2010). The microbial quality of fast food and traditional fast food. Nature and Science, 8(10).
Egmond, H. P., Schothorst, R. C., & Jonker, M. A. (2007). Regulations relating to mycotoxins in food: Perspectives in a global and European context. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 389(1), 147–157.
Filtenborg, J. C., & Thrane, F. U. (1996). Moulds in food spoilage. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 85–102.
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. (2010). Improving food safety, quality and food control in Bangladesh (Report—Seminar on Food Safety Challenges in Bangladesh, pp. 1–16).
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2012). The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2012.
Gorospe, M., & Fadare, O. (2007). Gastric mucosal calcinosis: Clinicopathologic considerations. Advances in Anatomic Pathology, 14(3), 224–228.
Huk, D. J., Hammond, H. L., Kegechika, H., & Lincoln, J. (2013). Increased dietary intake of vitamin A promotes aortic valve calcification in vivo. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 33(2), 285–293.
Johannessen, G. S., & Torp, M. (2005). In Improving the Safety of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables.
Julie, N. B., Arthur, L. L., & Catherine, J. B. (2009). Color additives: FDA’s regulatory process and historical perspectives.
Keller, N. P., Turner, G., & Bennett, J. W. (2005). Fungal secondary metabolism – from biochemistry to genomics. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 3(12), 937–947.
Lasztity, R. (2004). Micro-organisms important in food microbiology. In Food Quality and Standards, Volume 3. Budapest University of Technology and Economics.
Levine, P. H., Delgado, Y., Theise, N. D., & West, A. B. (2003). Stellate-cell lipidosis in liver biopsy specimens: Recognition and significance. American Journal of Clinical Pathology, 119(2), 254–258.
Mamun, M. A., Rahman, M. M., & Turin, T. C. (2013). Microbiological quality of selected street food items vended by school-based street food vendors in Dhaka, Bangladesh. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 166(3), 413–418.
Mensah, P., Yeboah-Manu, D., Owusu-Darko, K., & Ablordey, A. (2002). Street foods in Accra, Ghana: How safe are they? Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 80(7), 546–554.
Minuk, G. Y., Kelly, J. K., & Hwang, W. S. (1988). Vitamin A hepatotoxicity in multiple family members. Hepatology, 2, 272–275.
Muyanja, C., Nayiga, L., Brenda, N., & Nasinyama, G. (2011). Practices, knowledge, and risk factors of street food vendors in Uganda. Food Control, 22(10), 1551–1558.
Pitt, J. I., & Hocking, A. D. (2009). The ecology of fungal food spoilage. In Fungi and Food Spoilage.
Protective Cultures, Antimicrobial Metabolites and Bacteriophages for Food and Beverage Biopreservation. (2011). Woodhead Publishing Series in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition, 27–62.
Rahman, M. J. (2014). Climate change and vector-borne diseases in Bangladesh (Master’s thesis, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh).
Salam, T. M., Bari, F. K., et al. (2024). Emergence of antibiotic-resistant infections in ICU patients. Journal of Angiotherapy, 8(5), 1–9.
Salem, M. A., El-Shiekh, R. A., Hashem, R. A., & Hassan, M. (2007). In vivo antibacterial activity of star anise (Illicium verum Hook.) extract using murine MRSA skin infection model in relation to its metabolite profile. The Journal of Medicine in the Tropics, 9(1), 29–36.
Schardl, C. L., Panaccione, D. G., & Tudzynski, P. (2006). Ergot alkaloids – biology and molecular biology. The Alkaloids: Chemistry and Biology, 63, 45–86.
Shrimali, V. V., & Shah, K. K. (2017). A microbial study on water used by street food vendors and microbial flora found on their hands, in a densely populated urban area of Vadodara, Gujarat. Journal of Integrated Health Sciences, 81-86.
Singh, G., Sumitra, M. A., Lampasona, M. P., & Catalan, C. (2006). Chemical constituents, antimicrobial investigations, and antioxidative potential of volatile oil and acetone extract of star anise fruits. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 86, 111–121.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2013). R.E.D. FACTS: Methiocarb. Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances.
University of Exeter. (n.d.) (2020). Fungal resistance – an under-recognised crisis with massive global impact. Retrieved from https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/amr/fungal-resistance/
Yang, J. F., Yang, C. H., Chang, H. W., Yang, C. S., Wang, S. M., Hsieh, M. C., et al. (2010). Chemical composition and antibacterial activities of Illicium verum against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Journal of Medicinal Food, 13(5), 1254–1262.
View Dimensions
View Altmetric
Save
Citation
View
Share