Isolation and identification of fungi and pathogenicity assessment of some spoilt fruits sold in Wuse market, Abuja, Nigeria

Aims: This study was carried out to examine the fungi associated with the spoilage of some fruits in Wuse Market, Abuja. Materials and Result: In this study, five different kinds of fruits were collected from Wuse market and examined for Fungi growth using Potato dextrose agar and the pathogenicity of the isolated fungi was confirmed using Koch's postulate. Six fruits spoilage fungi were isolated and identified as follows: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger complex, Mucor racemosus, Mucor species and Fusarium species Aspergillus species had the highest occurrence in various fruits with the frequency 52% followed by Mucor species with frequency 33% and Fusarium species had the least occurrence with the frequency of 13%.However, more than one fungus colonies were found associated with some fruits sample like Pineapples and Apples while fruits like oranges and watermelon had just one colony of fungi isolated from them and no fungi were isolated from fruits like tomatoes. Aspergillus niger, A. flavus and Mucor species were isolated from fruits like Apples. Mucor species and Mucor racemosus from Oranges, A. niger complex, Mucor species, Fusarium species and A. flavus from pineapples, and Fusarium species was found isolated from one out of three of the watermelon samples. Conclusion: The pathogenicity test revealed that each fungus isolate was capable of causing plant diseases in healthy fruits and otherwise poses a potential environmental health hazard and less desirable for human consumption. Significance and Impact of Study: The alarming rate of food poisoning in Nigeria necessitates that more awareness is created to mitigate the rise in this malady. This research conducted in the metropolitan market of Abuja serves as a public awareness to the populace and also the regulatory bodies, the possible impact of consumption of unhealthy fruits.