Isolation and Identification of Fungi Associated with Dried Fruits of Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. Fruits

Abstract

This study aimed at isolated and identified fungi associated with the dry fruits of Detorium microcarpum which fresh fruits were collected and dried at room temperature in Dutse Local Government of Jigawa State. The fruits of Detarium microcarpum were surface sterilized with cotton wool soaked in 70% alcohol. The pulps of the sample fruits were extracted with the help of pestle and mortar, one (1g) gram of the pulp was introduced into a beaker containing nine miles (9ml) of distilled water. A drop of the serially diluted solution was then plated on solidified Potato Dextrose Agar plates (90mm diameter) aseptically. Inoculated plates were incubated at 28±30⁰C for 7days. A small portion of the aerial mycelia from the representative culture was picked using a sterile inoculating needle and inoculated on a slide for 24-48 hours, after which it was viewed under the light microscope to detect spore, hyphae and other special structures. The results shows that Rhizopus stolonifer, Apergillus niger Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium moniliforme were found to be associated with the dry fruits of Detarium microcarpum with frequencies of occurrence of 42%, 32%, 10% and 16% respectively. The disease-causing potential of this two isolates Aspergillus niger Fusarium moniliforme, seems to be very serious in human as Aspergillus niger have been responsible for causing Pneumonia and several bronchial diseases while Fusarium moniliforme has champion the production different kinds of toxin that may have health implication to human and other animals. It is therefore recommended that, there is the need for proper storage of Detarium microcarpum fruits so as to preserve its nutritive value. Educational activities should be organized to local communities on the best practices of preserving the fruits of Non Timber Forest Product.