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

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.