ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SURFACE FUNGI ISOLATED FROM SOME LOCAL AND BRANDED TEA SAMPLES OF ASSAM

Tea is a globally consumed beverage prized for its aroma and medicinal properties. However, the multiplex processing and storage stages provide a niche for xerotolerant and mycotoxigenic fungi. This study aims to evaluate the fungal load and relative abundance of mycoflora in 22 tea samples (11 branded and 11 local) collected from Silchar region, Assam. By using the direct inoculation method on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), six fungal genera were identified: A. niger, A. flavus, Fusarium sp., Trichoderma sp., Penicillin chrysogenum, Mucor sp. The research data indicate variation in fungal load, with the Aspergillus genus being the dominant contaminant across all categories. In branded samples, CFU ranged from 7 to 70, with sample B9 showing the highest contamination. In local samples, CFUs ranged from 8 to 52, with L4 showcasing the highest fungal load. Although the branded samples exhibited a higher quantitative count, the unbranded samples demonstrated a significantly broader diversity of mycoflora species and higher relative abundance. This disparity is likely attributable to suboptimal storage conditions and inadequate post-harvest handling in local markets. The frequent isolation of A. flavus and A. niger highlights a latent risk of aflatoxin and ochratoxin exposure, which are associated with hepatotoxicity and carcinogenesis. These results emphasize the necessity for more stringent quality control protocols and improved desiccation techniques in the tea industry to safeguard public health.