Isolation of Antifungal Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) from “Kunu” against Toxigenic Aspergillus flavus

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 (