September 2018 Vol.6 No.8

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Original Research Article

Isolation of fungi associated with date palm (Phoenix dacttylifera Linn) fruits consumed within Sokoto Metropolis

Tafinta I. Y.^1*, Rabe A. M.¹, Danfulani J. S.¹, Batagarawa U. S.¹, Umar M.² and Ocheni P¹

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, PMB 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria
²Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: iytafinta08@yahoo.com/ibrahim.yusuf@udusok.edu.ng)

Accepted April 02, 2018

Abstract

A total of 45 ready to eat dried date palm (Phoenix dactylifera Linn.) fruits were collected from vendors, fifteen (15) each from three different markets; Gawon Nama Market, Old Market and New Market, within Sokoto metropolis for the fungal analysis. Fungal isolation was done by dilution plate techniques using potato dextrose agar while identification was microscopically using Lacto-phenol cotton blue based on cultural and morphological characteristics of the fungi. Six (6) fungal species were identified and are; Aspergillusniger, Rhizopusoryzae, Mucorracemosus, Aspergillusflavus, Aspergillus fumigates and Penicillum brasilianum. A.niger has the highest percentage of occurrence (23.81%), followed by R.oryzae (22.22%), then M.racemosus (19.05%), while P.brasilianum has the least percentage of occurrences (4.76%). New market has the highest percentage fungal isolate (36.60%), followed by Old market (34.92%) and the least was seen in the Gawon Nama market (28.57%). The relative abundance of the fungal species in the three markets shows A.nigeras the most abundance followed by R.oryzae and the least was P.brasilianum. Date fruits should be thoroughly washed prior to consumption, in order to minimize possible infection from the fungal spores. Meanwhile, a need of enlightening the vendors on the use of paper wraps or poly bags is important in order to protect the fruit against contaminants.

Keywords: Vendors, Occurrence, Dilution, Abundance, Contaminants.