Research Journal of Microbiology1816-4935xxxx-xxxxScience International10.3923/jm.2011.480.487SomorinY.M. BankoleM.O. OmemuA.M. AtandaO.O. 5201165The impact of the milling process on the microbiological quality of yam flour produced from dried yam chips was investigated. Dried yam chips samples were procured from markets in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states, southwestern Nigeria. Total viable bacterial count for Dioscorea rotundata (white yam) flour milled across the three locations range from 2.5x105 to 4.33x105 cfu g-1 while D. alata (water yam) flour ranged from 2.03x105 to 4.72x105 cfu g-1. Yam chips milled in the market had significantly higher (p<0.05) total viable bacterial count compared to those milled in the laboratory. Milling machines at Ibadan market harboured the significantly highest microbial count (2.1x103 cfu cm-1). All the yam flour samples milled in the market had Bacillus megaterium and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus nigricans were isolated from both white yam flour and water yam flour. Milling introduced some fungi known to produce mycotoxins into the yam flour. Milling yam chips into flour in the machines available at the markets increased the microbiological contamination of the yam chips by between 101->102 folds due to some unhygienic practices observed during the milling and this has implications for the microbiological quality and safety of the yam flour meal consumed. Educating processors of yam flour on the importance of regular cleaning of milling machines and avoiding collection of flour spilled on the floor into the lot to be consumed will assist in ensuring that best practices are complied with and consumers have access to safer yam flour.]]>Addo, M.G., W.G. Akanwariwiak, P. Addo-Fordjour and K. Obiri-Danso,20083552558Adedoyin, O.T., A. Ojuawo, O.O. Adesiyan, F. Mark and E.A. Anigilaje,2008274143Adeleke, S.I.,200981012Akissoe, N., D.J. Hounhouigan, N. Bricas, P. Vernier, C.M. Nago and A. Olorunda,2001Dioscorea rotundata) tubers, flour and amala a flour derived product.]]>41151155Amusa, N.A., A.A. Adegbite, S. Muhammed and R.A. Baiyewu,20032497502Babajide, J.M., O.B. Oyewole and O.A. Obadina,20065 2157161Bankole, S.A. and O.O. Mabekoje,20041 in dried yam chips from Ogun and Oyo, Nigeria.]]>157111115Barnett, H.L. and B.B. Hunter,19874th Edn.,Pages 224Pages 224Berghofer, L.K., A.D. Hocking, D. Miskelly and E. Jansson,200385137149Darman Roger, D., J.J. Essia Ngang and F. Etoa,20076404408Dierick, K., E. Van Coillie, I. Swiecicka, G. Meyfroidt and H. Devlieger et al.,2005Bacillus cereus-associated food poisoning.]]>4342774279Djeri, B., Y. Ameyapoh, D.S. Karou, K. Anani, K. Soncy, Y. Adjrah and C. Souza,20102236241Ehiri , J.E., M.C. Azubuike, C.N. Ubaonu, E.C. Anyanwu, K.M. Ibe and M.O. Ogbonna,200179423433Ekunwe, P.A. and S.I. Orewa,2007718181820FAOSTAT,20102010Gnonlonfin, G.J.B., K. Hell, P. Fandohan and A.B. Siame,20081 in cassava and yam chips from Benin, West Africa.]]>122140147Hounhouigan, D.J., A.P. Kayode, N. Bricas and M.C. Nago,200342143160Hoton, F.M., N. Fornelos, E. N`guessan, X. Hu and I. Swiecicka et al.,2009Bacillus cereus and Bacillus weihenstephanensis cereulide-producing strains.]]>1177183Huang, C.C., P.Y. Chiang, Y.Y. Chen and C.C.R. Wang,2007Dioscorea alata L.) tubers during growth.]]>4014981506International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods,1998pp: 615pp: 615Jimoh, K.O. and A.L. Kolapo,20083169174Kouassi, K.N., G.G. Tiahou, F.R.J. Abodo, M. Cisse-Camara and N.G. Amani,20098993999Ochei, J. and A. Kolhatkar,2008Pages: 1364Pages: 1364Okigbo, R.N. and F.E.O. Ikediugwu,2000Dioscorea spp.) with Trichoderma viride.]]>148351355Otegbayo, B., J. Aina, R. Asiedu and M. Bokanga,2005Dioscorea spp. and its implication for assessment of textural quality.]]>36324332Otoo, E. and E. Asiedu,2009Dioscorea rotundata, poir) in Ghana.]]>857475754Pitt, J.I. and A.D. Hocking,1997Samson, R.A., E.S. Hoekstra and J.C. Frisvad,20047th Edn.,Pages: 389Pages: 389Probst, C., H. Njapau and P.J. Cotty,20077327622764Shiota, M., K. Saitou, H. Mizumoto, M. Matsusaka and N. Agata et al.,2010Bacillus cereus food poisoning.]]>125e951e955Ukpabi, U.J., R.M. Omodamiro, J.G. Ikeorgu and R. Asiedu,2008Dioscorea alata) genotypes in Nigeria.]]>711341138Williams, J.H., T.D. Phillips, P.E. Jolly, J.K. Stiles, C.M. Jolly and D. Aggarwal,20048011061122Mestres, C., S. Bassa, E. Fagbohoun, M. Nago and K. Hell et al.,200440575585