Studies on Fungi Responsible for the Spoilage/Deterioration of Some Edible Fruits and Vegetables

Iniekong P.  Udoh; Clara I.  Eleazar; Martin E.  Ohanu; Bryan O.  Ogeneh

doi:10.4236/aim.2015.54027

Iniekong P. Udoh¹^*, Clara I. Eleazar¹, Bryan O. Ogeneh², Martin E. Ohanu¹

Abstract: Investigation of fungi responsible for the post harvest deterioration of Lycopersicum esculentus (tomatoes), Elaeis guineensis (palm fruit), Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato), Solanum tuberosum (Irish potato), Musa sapientum (banana), Doucus carota (carrot), Musa paradisiaca (plantain), Carica papaya (pawpaw), Persea americana (Avocado pear), Citrullus lanatus (water-melon) and Capsicum chinense (fresh red pepper) from five different markets and farm lands in Enugu state, Nigeria was carried out. Healthy and diseased samples were collected from the selected markets/ farmlands. Fungal species found associated with the deterioration of the various fruits and vegetables tested included Mucor species (M. indicus, M. amphibiorum, M. racemosus and M. hiemalis), Rhizopus species (Rhizopus stolonifer, R. nigrican and R. oligosporus), Candida albicans, Aspergillus species (Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger and A. flavus) and Penicillum species (P. oxalicum and P. chrysogenum) and Fusarium species (F. accuminatum, F. oxysporum, F. eqiuseti and F. moniliforme, F. solani, F. dimerum). All isolated fungi were pathogenic to the different fruits and vegetables from the result of pathogencity tests carried out.

Keywords: Fungi, Spoilage, Infection, Fruit, Vegetables

Cite this paper: Udoh, I. , Eleazar, C. , Ogeneh, B. and Ohanu, M. (2015) Studies on Fungi Responsible for the Spoilage/Deterioration of Some Edible Fruits and Vegetables. Advances in Microbiology, 5, 285-290. doi: 10.4236/aim.2015.54027.

References

[1] Ewekeye, T.S., Oke, O.A., Quadri, A.I., Isikalu, A.O., Umenwaniri, M.O. and Durosinmi, M.L. (2013) Studies on Post Harvest Deterioration of Some Fruits and Vegetables in Selected Markets in Lagos State, Nigeria. American Journal of Research Communication, 1, 209-222. www.usa-journals.com

[2] Eni, A.O., Oluwawemitan, T.O. and Solomon O.U. (2010) Microbial Quality of Fruits and Vegetables Sold in Sango Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. African Journal of Food Science, 4, 291-296.

[3] Miedes, E. and Lorences, E.P. (2004) Apple (Malus domestica) and Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) Fruits Cell-Wall Hemicelluloses and Xyloglucan Degradation during Penicillium Expansum Infection. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 52, 7957-7963.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf048890f

[4] Tournas, V.H. (2005) Spoilage of Vegetable Crops by Bacteria and Fungi and Related Health Hazards. Critical Review of Microbiology, 31, 33-44.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10408410590886024

[5] Akinmusire, O.O. (2011) Fungal Species Associated with the Spoilage of Some Edible Fruits in Maiduguri Northern Eastern Nigeria. Advances in Environmental Biology, 5, 157-161.

[6] Olufunmilayo, G.O. and Oyefolu, A.B. (2010) Natural Occurrence of Aflatoxin Residues in Fresh and Sun-Dried Meat in Nigeria. The Pan African Medical Journal, 7, 14.

[7] Amusa, N.A., Ashaye, O.A., Oladapo, M.O. and Kafaru, O.O. (2003) Pre-Harvest Deterioration of Sour Sop (Annona muricata) at Ibadan Southwestern Nigeria and Its Effect on Nutrient Composition. African Journal of Biotechnology, 2, 23-25.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5897/AJB2003.000-1004

[8] Gupta, A.K. and Pathak, V.N. (1986) A Survey of Fruit Market for Papaya Fruit Rot by Fungal Pathogens. Indian Mycology Journal, 10, 152-154.

[9] Oke, O.A. and Banjoko, K.M. (1991) The Effect of Penicillium digitatum and Fusarium oxysporium Rot Infections on Nutritional Content of Pawpaw. Mycopathologia, 116, 199-201.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00436835