Browsing by Author "Tibuhwa, Donatha D."
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Item Afrocantharellus Gen. Stat. Nov. is Part of a Rich Diversity of Africancan Tharellaceae(International Mycological Association, 2012) Tibuhwa, Donatha D.; Savić, Sanja; Tibell, Leif; Kivaisi, Amelia K.A new genus in the Cantharellaceae, Afrocantharellus, is recognized based on results from phylogenetic analyses of rDNA LSU and concatenated LSU/5.8-ITS2/ATP6 data. It was previously recognized as a subgenus, but comprehensive fieldwork and the acquisition of numerous sequences for previously neglected African Cantharellus species formed the basis for a reappraisal of generic and species delimitations. Afrocantharellus is characterized morphologically by the basidiomes having thick, distantly spaced diverging folds of variegated colour. In contrast to most of Cantharellus, Afrocantharellus mostly lacks clamp connections. Phylogenies of Cantharellus and Afrocantharellus based on LSU and a concatenated data set are provided, along with descriptions of and a key to the four species and one form of Afrocantharellus recognized. Six new combinations are made.Item Antioxidant Properties of Seven wild Edible Mushrooms from Tanzania(2015) Hussein, Juma M.; Tibuhwa, Donatha D.; Mshandete, Anthony M.; Kivaisi, Amelia K.Consumption of mushroom has increased remarkably because of their desirable aroma, taste and high nutritional content. Wild edible mushrooms (WEM) are well known for their nutritious and antioxidant properties. This study was conducted to measure and compare the antioxidant activity, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of six WEM from selected indigenous Tanzanian forests and one domesticated grown form in methanolic extracts. Results show that among the seven mushroom species extracts, the methanolic extract from Auricularia judae showed the most potent radical scavenging activity of 93.33% while Panus conchatus revealed lowest antioxidant activities of 46.53%. The strongest EC50 was observed in Auricularia judae 0.08 mg/ml while weakest was in P. conchatus >0.3 mg/ml. Nevertheless total phenolics in the methanolic extracts were the highest in P. tenuiculus (431.03±3.63 mg GAE/100 g) and lowest in Macrolepiota procera (136.21±0.98 mgGAE/100 g). Lentinus squarrosulus possessed highest content of β-carotene and flavonoids were 48.15±1.04 mg/100 g and 25.62±1.78 mg/100 g, respectively meanwhile the lowest concentration was found in wild L. sajor-caju 5.35±0.68 mg/100 g and 2.49±1.28 mg/100 g, respectively. Comparatively, domesticated mushroom showed higher scavenging ability of 76.61% than its wild counterparts 62.94%. In conclusion, high antioxidant activity in methanolic extract of WEM due to presence of phenolic content can potentially be used as a source of natural antioxidants.Item Antioxidant Properties of Seven Wild Edible Mushrooms from Tanzania(2015-09-30) Hussein, J. M.; Tibuhwa, Donatha D.; Mshandete, A. M.; Kivaisi, A. K.Consumption of mushroom has increased remarkably because of their desirable aroma, taste and high nutritional content. Wild edible mushrooms (WEM) are well known for their nutritious and antioxidant properties. This study was conducted to measure and compare the antioxidant activity, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of six WEM from selected indigenous Tanzanian forests and one domesticated grown form in methanolic extracts. Results show that among the seven mushroom species extracts, the methanolic extract from Auricularia judae showed the most potent radical scavenging activity of 93.33% while Panus conchatus revealed lowest antioxidant activities of 46.53%. The strongest EC50 was observed in Auricularia judae 0.08 mg/ml while weakest was in P. conchatus >0.3 mg/ml. Nevertheless total phenolics in the methanolic extracts were the highest in P. tenuiculus (431.03±3.63 mg GAE/100 g) and lowest in Macrolepiota procera (136.21±0.98 mgGAE/100 g). Lentinus squarrosulus possessed highest content of β-carotene and flavonoids were 48.15±1.04 mg/100 g and 25.62±1.78 mg/100 g, respectively meanwhile the lowest concentration was found in wild L. sajor-caju 5.35±0.68 mg/100 g and 2.49±1.28 mg/100 g, respectively. Comparatively, domesticated mushroom showed higher scavenging ability of 76.61% than its wild counterparts 62.94%. In conclusion, high antioxidant activity in methanolic extract of WEM due to presence of phenolic content can potentially be used as a source of natural antioxidants.Item Antiradical and Antioxidant Activities of Methanolic Extracts of Indigenous Termitarian Mushroom from Tanzania(2012) Tibuhwa, Donatha D.Termitomyces mushrooms grow symbiotically with termites. They are abundantly distributed in the country, mostly consumed and liked by people. However, their antiradical and antioxidants activities are not yet established. In this study, both qualitative and quantitative values of antiradical and antioxidant of crude methanolic extracts of six Termitomyces species (T. titanicus, T. aurantiacus, T. letestui, T. clypeatus, T. microcarpus and T. eurhizus) were investigated. The investigation used DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl) free radical as a substrate to determine both scavenging abilities and antiradical activities. Antioxidant was further analysed quantitatively for β-carotene, flavonoid content, total phenolic compounds and vitamin C content in the crude methanolic extracts using spectrophotometric assay at 515 ηm. The result showed that they all exhibited scavenging ability and antiradical activity although the ability differed markedly among the species. The highest antiradical activity unit (EAU515) was from T. microcarpus (EAU515 1.48) followed by T. aurantiacus (EAU515 1.43) while the lowest was from T. eurhizus (EAU515 0.7). The scavenging power was also highest in T. microcarpus (EC50 < 0.1 mg/ml) followed by T. letestui (EC50 = 0.14 mg/ml); while T. eurhizus showed the least power (EC50 = 0.36 mg/ml). In quantitative analysis, T. microcarpus was also found having high content of phenols, Flavonoid, and β-carotene except lycopene and Vitamin C content which were high in T. aurantiacus and T. eurhizus respectively. Based on these results, all studied termitarian mushroom are good source of antioxidants while T. microcarpus could be considered as potential antiradicals of high profile thus thought for selection in preparation of mushroom-based nutraceutics. The results also endorse the continuing harvesting of these wild mushrooms for including them in our daily food for healthy diets.Item Assessment of Antioxidant Potentials of the Wild and Domesticated Saprophytic Edible Mushrooms from Tanzania(2016) Juma, I.; Mshandete, Anthony M.; Tibuhwa, Donatha D.; Kivaisi, Amelia K.Tanzania natural forests harbor several indigenous edible mushrooms that are meagerly exploited due to various reasons including unawareness on their potential values. This study establishes antioxidant potentials of seven wild edible mushroom species, and their two domesticated forms. The investigation used mushroom methanolic extract for antioxidant activities’ determination. A DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical was used as a substrate to determine radical scavenging abilities whereas ferrozine was employed to determine ferrous ion chelating abilities. Additionally, quantitative analyses for β-carotene, lycopene, flavonoids, and total phenolic compounds were done using spectrophotometric assay. Mushrooms analysed displayed amazing antioxidant potentials which varied between different species and between the wild and domesticated forms of the same species. The range of EC50 values for DPPH free radical scavenging activity (DRSA) was . . mg m , with the strongest and weakest EC50 recorded from P. tenuiculus and the wild Amylosporus sp. IJ-2014, respectively. The range of EC50 values for ferrous ion chelating activity (FICA) was . . mg/mL, with the strongest and weakest EC50 noted in domesticated Amylosporus sp. IJ-2014 and L. sajor-caju, correspondingly. The maximum and minimum total phenolic content (TPC) recorded were 537.39 and 160.97 mg GAE/100g, from domesticated Amylosporus sp. IJ-2014 and Laetiporus sp. IJ-2014, respectively. The highest and least quantities of β-carotene (BC) recorded were 48.59 and 5.56 mg/100g, from P. tenuiculus/wild Amylosporus sp. IJ-2014 and P. cystidiosus, respectively. Lycopene contents (LC) ranged from 2.24 to 18.95 mg/100g, with P. cystidiosus and P. tenuiculus having the slightest and peak values, correspondingly. Maximum value for total flavonoid contents (TFl) recorded was 25.27 mg QE/100g from P. tenuiculus whereas the minimum value was 3.71 mg QE/100g from P. cystidiosus. Due to the antioxidant potentials of these mushrooms, people are advised to maximally exploit them for improved nutrition and health.Item Assessment of Antioxidant Potentials of the Wild and Domesticated Saprophytic Edible Mushrooms from Tanzania(2016) Juma, I.; Mshandete, A. M.; Tibuhwa, Donatha D.; Kivaisi, A. K.Tanzania natural forests harbor several indigenous edible mushrooms that are meagerly exploited due to various reasons including unawareness on their potential values. This study establishes antioxidant potentials of seven wild edible mushroom species, and their two domesticated forms. The investigation used mushroom methanolic extract for antioxidant activities’ determination. A DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical was used as a substrate to determine radical scavenging abilities whereas ferrozine was employed to determine ferrous ion chelating abilities. Additionally, quantitative analyses for β-carotene, lycopene, flavonoids, and total phenolic compounds were done using spectrophotometric assay. Mushrooms analysed displayed amazing antioxidant potentials which varied between different species and between the wild and domesticated forms of the same species. The range of EC50 values for DPPH free radical scavenging activity (DRSA) was . . mg m , with the strongest and weakest EC50 recorded from P. tenuiculus and the wild Amylosporus sp. IJ-2014, respectively. The range of EC50 values for ferrous ion chelating activity (FICA) was . . mg/mL, with the strongest and weakest EC50 noted in domesticated Amylosporus sp. IJ-2014 and L. sajor-caju, correspondingly. The maximum and minimum total phenolic content (TPC) recorded were 537.39 and 160.97 mg GAE/100g, from domesticated Amylosporus sp. IJ-2014 and Laetiporus sp. IJ-2014, respectively. The highest and least quantities of β-carotene (BC) recorded were 48.59 and 5.56 mg/100g, from P. tenuiculus/wild Amylosporus sp. IJ-2014 and P. cystidiosus, respectively. Lycopene contents (LC) ranged from 2.24 to 18.95 mg/100g, with P. cystidiosus and P. tenuiculus having the slightest and peak values, correspondingly. Maximum value for total flavonoid contents (TFl) recorded was 25.27 mg QE/100g from P. tenuiculus whereas the minimum value was 3.71 mg QE/100g from P. cystidiosus. Due to the antioxidant potentials of these mushrooms, people are advised to maximally exploit them for improved nutrition and health.Item Cantharellus Fistulosus Sp. Nov. from Tanzania(2008) Tibuhwa, Donatha D.; Buyck, Bart; Kivaisi, Amelia K.; Tibell, LeifAbstract – Cantharellus fistulosus sp. nov from Tanzania is described as a close relative to C. schmitzii from tropical miombo woodland dominated by tree species in Brachystegia, Julbernardia and Isoberlinia. The species is characterised by having a hollow, smooth stipe and a pink hymenium that contrasts with the yellowish brown stipe and cap surface.Item Characterization of Salmonella Species from Water Bodies in Dar-Es-Salaam City, Tanzania(2013) Mwang’onde, Beda J.; Tibuhwa, Donatha D.; Namkinga, Lucy A.; Kweka, Eliningaya J.Water-borne diseases are the most common cause of illness and death among the poor population from developing countries. The majority of the people are inadequately aware that aquatic environment is a major source of salmonellosis. Dar es Salaam city is among the cities with most of its population live in squatter. Typhoid fever ranks second with 14.3% of all notifiable disease cases in the city. The city experience water scarcity which forces water wells and rivers to become the main sources of water for domestic use and livestock. This study therefore, characterized Salmonella strains from different water bodies of city as possible sources for enteric diseases endemicity. Methods: The Salmonella Chromogenic Agar (SC Agar) and Kligler Iron Agar (KIA) media were used for isolation and enumeration of the strains. The inoculated cultures were incubated at 370 C for 24 hours. Salmonella colonies were confirmed by magenta colorations and hydrogen sulfide production on SC Agar and KIA Agar, respectively. The Analytical Profile Index 20 Enterobacteriaceae kit (API 20E kit) was used to identify Salmonella species. Results: Based on the API 20E kit, the identified Salmonella species from different water bodies were Salmonella ser. paratyphi A (96.9%), Salmonella cholelaesuis spp choleraesuis (99.5%) and Salmonella typhi (99.9%). Conclusion: This study shows that shallow wells and rivers which are mainly used by the city dwellers were highly contaminated with Salmonella and were more contaminated than deep wells and marine water bodies. This warrants further investigation on the disease mapping in the urban and peri-urban areas.Item A Comparative Study of Antioxidant Activities between Fresh and Dry Mushrooms in the Genera Cantharellus and Afrocantharellus from Tanzania(Scientific Research, 2014) Tibuhwa, Donatha D.Cantharellus and Afrocantharellus mushrooms are widely consumed in both fresh and dry forms. However, their antioxidant and whether their values changing with drying processes are not known. This study establishes their values and the effect of sun drying on their quality and quantity. Methanolic extracts of five Cantharellus and two Afrocantharellus species were investigated. The investigation used (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical) DPPH as a substrate to determine radical scavenging abilities. Further quantitative analyses for carotenoids, flavonoid, total phenolic compounds and vitamin C content were done using spectrophotometric assay at 515 nm. Comparatively, fresh mushroom had higher vitamin C and Lycopene contents than their dry counterparts with β-carotene. Flavonoid and phenolic compounds were higher in dry forms than those in their fresh counterparts. Radical scavenging ability also varied with fresh forms depicting higher activity compared to dry forms. The variation was low in Afrocantharellus species (0.8% and 0.99%) while it was higher in Cantharellus species (24.12% and 7.52%). The highest ability was observed in fresh forms of Cantharellus pseudocibarius (EC50 < 0.14 mg/ml) while the least ability (EC50 = 0.4 mg/ml) was from dry form of Cantharellus rufopunctatus. This shows that studied mushrooms are rich in antioxidants and their quality and quantities are affected differently in both forms. Both dry and fresh mushrooms are potential sources of natural antioxidants. The portrayed high scavenging ability by these mushrooms envisages promoting them into potential nutraceuticsItem Diversity of macrofungi at the University of Dar es Salaam Mlimani main campus in Tanzania(2013-10-17) Tibuhwa, Donatha D.Macrofungi play important roles in nutrient cycling, forestry, pharmacology industry, production of cultivated fungi in the food industry, as well as their vital role in biodegradation and biodeterioration. Information about the diversity, community organization, and variations in time and space of macrofungi community belonging to the Basidiomycota and Ascomycota at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Mlimani main campus in Tanzania is totally non-existent. This study was conducted on three major habitats based on types of land use namely: natural trees, planted trees and the gardens which included cleared grounds at the UDSM. The method based on fruit body recording and analysis to provide a set of biodiversity quality indices which included fungi taxonomic field work and inventory of collections made to document the macrofungi species present. It also included quantitatively comparisons in terms of species diversity and richness across the three major habitats studied using diversity species indices. Results showed that there were 18 families, 29 genera and more than 61 species out of more than 676 fruit bodies collected. The Agaricaceae family in the Agaric morpho group were the best represented taxa (71%) with the least represented (2%) belonging to Hydnaceae of the ‘tooth fungi’ morpho-group. Shannon Wiener diversity species indices showed that the species composition varied among habitats with the natural tree leading (3.8882) followed by planted trees (3.1358) and the gardens recorded the least (2.8647). On the other hand, the Reyni diversity of species ordering showed a tremendous decrease of species diversity in the disturbed habitat. These results show that there is high species diversity and abundance in the ‘natural trees’ which are relatively protected compared to ‘planted trees’ and ‘gardens’ as well as a tremendous decrease of species diversity in the disturbed habitats. These findings suggest that disturbances and soil compaction affects the macro fungi distribution. The results thus recall for the need for conservation and further research in this area, particularly at the community and species level which is essential to monitor the effectiveness of, or the need for conservation, and also to follow the effects of natural or artificial disturbance.Item Effect of Different Post Harvest Treatments on Nutritive and Antioxidant Activities of Wild Edible Coprinus Cinereus (Schaeff.) S.Gray from Tanzania(2012-11-24) Tibuhwa, Donatha D.; Lyantagaye, S. L.; Mshandete, A. M.Coprinus cinereus is a wild edible and medicinal mushroom available in Tanzania. Methanolic extracts were prepared from whole young and immature mushrooms and the effect of eight different post harvest treatments on nutritional content, antioxidant component and scavenging activities on DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radicals were studied. Result showed that Coprinus cinereus fruit bodies are good source of antioxidant and proteins although post harvest treatments had profound effects, which varied significantly at (p<0.05). The highest scavenging ability (LD 50 = 0.119) was found from mushrooms sun dried for 5 days followed by (LD50= 0.133) recorded from young and immature mushrooms (control) while the least (LD50=4.24) was obtained from mushrooms dipped in boiling 10% salt water for 1minute. On the other hand, crude protein ranged between 7-26% with highest and lowest obtained from oven dried and boiled in 10% salt for 1 minute, respectively. For total flavonoid (mg RE/g) the highest value was obtained from control (44.7) followed by (41.13) recorded from oven dried mushrooms. The total phenolic (mg GAE/g) content and vitamin C (mg/100g) varied concurrently with same treatments. They were both higher in mushrooms dehydrated with silica gel (174.77) and (175.18) and lower in mushrooms dipped in boiling water for 5 minute (59.49) and (20.17), respectively. These findings demonstrated that Coprinus cinereus is a good source of protein and antioxidant and the best post harvest method is sun drying in which, not only the shelf life of the mushroom increases but also they retains most of good qualities including improved scavenging abilities.Item Effect Of Different Post Harvest Treatments on Nutritive and Antioxidant Activities of Wild Edible Coprinus Cinereus (Schaeff.) S.Gray from Tanzania(2012) Tibuhwa, Donatha D.; Lyantagaye, Sylvester L.; Mshandete, Anthony M.Coprinus cinereus is a wild edible and medicinal mushroom available in Tanzania. Methanolic extracts were prepared from whole young and immature mushrooms and the effect of eight different post harvest treatments on nutritional content, antioxidant component and scavenging activities on DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radicals were studied. Result showed that Coprinus cinereus fruit bodies are good source of antioxidant and proteins although post harvest treatments had profound effects, which varied significantly at (p<0.05). The highest scavenging ability (LD 50 = 0.119) was found from mushrooms sun dried for 5 days followed by (LD50= 0.133) recorded from young and immature mushrooms (control) while the least (LD50=4.24) was obtained from mushrooms dipped in boiling 10% salt water for 1minute. On the other hand, crude protein ranged between 7-26% with highest and lowest obtained from oven dried and boiled in 10% salt for 1 minute, respectively. For total flavonoid (mg RE/g) the highest value was obtained from control (44.7) followed by (41.13) recorded from oven dried mushrooms. The total phenolic (mg GAE/g) content and vitamin C (mg/100g) varied concurrently with same treatments. They were both higher in mushrooms dehydrated with silica gel (174.77) and (175.18) and lower in mushrooms dipped in boiling water for 5 minute (59.49) and (20.17), respectively. These findings demonstrated that Coprinus cinereus is a good source of protein and antioxidant and the best post harvest method is sun drying in which, not only the shelf life of the mushroom increases but also they retains most of good qualities including improved scavenging abilities.Item An Inventory of Macro-Fungi and Their Diversity in the Serengeti-Masai Mara Ecosystem, Tanzania and Kenya(2011) Tibuhwa, Donatha D.; Nyawira, M.; Masiga, C. W.; Mugoya, C.; Muchai, M.Item Lactifluus Kigomaensis Sp. Nov. from Kigoma Province, Tanzania(2012) De Crop, Eske; Tibuhwa, Donatha D.; Baribwegure, Deo; Verbeken, AnnemiekeLactifluus kigomaensis De Crop & Verbeken sp. nov. is described from primary miombo woodlands in the biologically underexplored Kigoma Province in North Western Tanzania. The species is consumed and offered for sale on local markets.Item Molecular Phylogeny of Saprophytic Wild Edible Mushroom Species from Tanzania Based on ITS and nLSU rDNA Sequences(2014) Hussein, J. M.; Tibuhwa, Donatha D.; Mshandete, A. M.; Kivaisi, A. K.many different saprophytic wild edible mushrooms (SWEM). Few studies have been carried out on characterizing these mushrooms, and those have used conventional methods whereby taxa were characterized using micro- and macromorphological features which are subtle and sometime fail to delimit closely related taxa. In this study, eight SWEM taxa were characterized using two molecular markers—the Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the nuclear large subunit (nLSU). The studied sequences were analyzed together with an additional of 19 GenBank sequences of related taxa in the genera Lentinus, Polyporus, Panus, Macrolepiota and Auricularia with maximum likelihood and Aspergillus niger as an outgroup. The BLAST search results on the NCBI database showed that the studied SWEM have ≥ 92% identity for ITS and ≥ 97 % identity for LSU. The phylogenetic tree constructed using the ITS data set revealed two major distinct clades with bootstrap support of 77% and 90% and five sub-clades supporting the five genera. The bootstrap support were 94% for Lentinus, 100% for Polyporus, 98% for Panus, 98% for Macrolepiota and 90 % for Auricularia, while the nLSU data set revealed the same two major distinct clades but with higher bootstrap support of 91% and 100%. The five subclades again supporting the five genera were 100% for Lentinus, 100% for Pluteus, 100% for Panus, 99% for Macrolepiota and 100% for Auricularia. From these results, it is clear that both ITS and LSU delineated the SWEM taxa to the six genera. However, the obtained support values showed that ITS sequences have the highest possibility of successful delineating the studied SWEM to species level than LSU. Moreover, the result also showed the genus Panus forming a monopyletic clade with Lentinus and Polyporus, thus contributing towards a better understanding of its problematic taxonomic ambiguities.Item Morphology and molecular taxonomy of Hymenagaricus mlimaniensis species nov: A new Basidiomycota mushroom from Mlimani main campus, Tanzania(2014) Mwanga, Zuhura; Tibuhwa, Donatha D.Hymenagaricus mlimaniensis Mwanga & Tibuhwa sp. nov. is described from Dar es Salaam Mlimani Main Campus in the semi protected natural tropical forest left in the Dar es Salaam city. The species superficially looks like Agaricus and its difference to the closest taxa in Hymenagaricus genus is both morphologically and genetically presented. The species is distinctively characterized from the closest H. pallidodiscus Reid & Eicker and H. alphitchrous (Berk. & Broome) Heinem by having the distinctive pink-reddish colour of the disc, whiter diminutive fibril on the pink-reddish background, lack of developed cortinate veil, possession of smooth margin and microscopically, the presence of clamp connections which are lacking in the two closest taxa. This study thus, describe H. mlimaniensis sp. nov. as a new species in Hymagaricus genus based on both macro-micromorphology and molecular markers.Item Morphology and Taxonomy of Sarcoscypha Ololosokwaniensis Sp. Nov.: A New Ascomycota Species from Serengeti National Park-Tanzania(2011) Tibuhwa, Donatha D.Traditional taxonomy emphasizes the morphological features to characterize a taxon. Sarcoscypha is a genus in Sarcoscyphaceae family which display wide array of morphological variations. The genus is widespread in northern hemisphere and boreal regions, but also occurs in sub tropical areas and in the southern hemisphere. Both macro and micromorphological features including (ascocarp size, colour, shape, exterior surface of the fruit body, asci size, shape, as well as ascospore size, ends and lipid bodies) were used in a conventional taxonomic analysis of fresh Sarcoscypha material collected from southern hemisphere in Tanzania. Results showed that compared with similar species from northern hemisphere, Tanzanian materials were relatively smaller, smooth, vivid sharp red inside a saucersshaped ascocarp, sessile to substipitate, microscopically unsheathed ascospores with two lipid bodies, distinctive geographical distribution, and unique season of fructification. Furthermore, a dichotomous identification key constructed for the six close similar species proved that Tanzanian material differed from other close species compared. Therefore based on conventional morphological taxonomy Tanzanian material from Serengeti National Park is described for the first time as a new Ascomycota; Sarcoscypha ololosokwaniensis sp.nov.Item Moulds Menaces in Flood-Ravaged Homes: A Case Study of Dar Es Salaam City Tanzania(Macrothink Istitute, 2016) Tibuhwa, Donatha D.Recently, Dar es Salaam city has been experiencing unexpected heavy rains which causes flood in several parts of the city. After the flood, houses are left cloggy, muddy and dumpy which promote the growth of moulds likely to affect returning residents. This work investigated the moulds status in 175 houses affected by the flood. Sampling was done using both Non-Volumetric Air Sampling (NVAS) and Swab Sampling (SS) methods. Macro-micromorphological characters were used for identification of the moulds. The results showed that out of the 175 examined houses 170 (97.1%) were found to have moulds while five houses (2.9%) including one control house were free of moulds. Five types of moulds were found dominated by a black spore former Aspegillus niger found in 87 houses (41.2%) followed by Penicillium species in 65 houses (37.1%) and Cladosporium species found in 60 houses (34.3%). The least group of moulds were the yellow mould Aspergillus flavus and white dermatophyte Trichophyton species each found in 15 houses (8.6%). The revealed moulds are well known to be associated with human health problems including production of carcinogenic metabolites, triggering allergic reactions to sensitive individuals, causing keratitis, skin lesions, nail fungus, sinusitis, intrinsic asthma, and pulmonary infections. The study thus suggest an premeditated public awareness on adverse effects that might be caused by moulds, call for the government interventions on thoroughly moulds status establishment and immediate deploy methods of moulds controls before residents returns to their flooded homes wherever such catastrophe occur for the healthy generation.Item Taxonomy of Termitomyces from Tanzania Coastal Areas(2011) Tibuhwa, Donatha D.Item Termitomyces Species from Tanzania, Their Cultural Properties and Unequalled Basidiospores(Macrothink Istitute, 2012) Tibuhwa, Donatha D.Termitomyces R. Heim, a basidiomycete fungus lives in a mutualistic symbiosis with termites of the subfamily Macrotermitinae. This study explored the cultural properties and macro-micromorphological characters including scanning electron microscopic studies of ten Termitomyces species collected from different parts of Tanzania. Pure cultures were isolated from the asexual fruit bodies growing on or near the termite mound by tissue culture techniques in three different media Ghosh, Hagem Modess, and Modified Malt Extract Agar. The results showed that Termitomyces aurantiacus (Heim) Heim and Termitomyces striatus Heim have unsmooth basidiospore, the character noted for the first time in this genus, and the two species might be conspecific. In cultures, while micromorphological characters remain undistinguishable between taxa, Macromorphological characters distinguished them in colour of the mat, growth rate, mycelia elevation and advancing zones as well as the mat texture. T. saggitiformis (Kalchbr. & Cooke) D.A. Reid, T. titanicus Pegler & Piearce species are reported for the first time in the country record and key to the studied species is supplied. This study suggests the redefining of the genus by omitting the smooth or adding unsmooth basidiospore character in the genus circumscription.