Isolation and Identification of Fungi Pathogen from Rotten White Yam Sold in Mubi Metropolis Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study aimed to isolate Fungi from Rotten White Yam sold in Mubi Market, Adamawa State, Nigeria. The rotten samples of white yam were cut into pieces each with a sterile razor blade and cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA). It was later incubated at room temperature for 1-5 days after which the fungal growths were observed. A total of thirty (30) white yam fungal isolates were obtained from the samples, fungi isolated and the frequency of occurrence include aspergilus spp 63.3%, fusarium spp 10.0%, monilla spp 3.3%, penicillium spp 16.7% and mucor spp, 6.7% from the three markets. These species of Fungi were associated with contamination of white yam. Based on these findings, it was observed that perishable food such as white yams is susceptible to spoilage by fungi. This may be due to spores of these organisms which were easily transmitted via the air, leading to spoilage of these vegetables.