ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF FUNGI ASSOCIATION WITH THE SOME SLICED FRUITS (PAWPAW‚PINEAPPLE AND WATERMELON)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study was conducted to isolate and identify fungal pathogens responsible for the spoilage of some selected sliced fruits—pawpaw (Carica papaya), pineapple (Ananas comosus), and watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris)—sold in Kasuwar Daji Market, Sokoto, Nigeria. Fresh fruit samples showing signs of decay were collected and analyzed using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) as the culture medium. The fungal isolates were identified based on their macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. Results revealed three (3) different fungal species: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Rhizopus oryzae, and Aspergillus fumigatus. Among these, Saccharomyces cerevisiae had the highest frequency of occurrence (50%), followed by Rhizopus oryzae (39.3%) and Aspergillus fumigatus (10.7%). The high rate of fungal contamination observed was attributed to poor handling, transportation, and storage conditions in the market. The study concludes that fungal spoilage significantly reduces the quality and shelf life of fruits and poses a risk to consumers. It is therefore recommended that proper hygiene, improved storage facilities, and the use of natural antifungal agents be encouraged to minimize post-harvest losses and ensure the safety of fruits for human consumption.