ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH THE DECAY OF COCOYAM (Colocasia esculanta) USED AS A SOUP THICKENER IN ENUGU

OMIETE, PECULIAR ALABO (2026) ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH THE DECAY OF COCOYAM (Colocasia esculanta) USED AS A SOUP THICKENER IN ENUGU. Other thesis, GODFREY OKOYE UNIVERSITY, ENUGU,.

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Abstract

Postharvest fungal rot of cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) poses a serious threat to the economic value of the crop especially its functional property as a primary soup thickener in Nigeria. At the same time, it poses a serious public health risk to the populace due to possible exposure to mycotoxins. This study aimed at identifying and isolating the fungi pathogens responsible for post-harvest decay of cocoyam corms sold at Abakpa Market in Enugu State. Twenty (20) pieces of rotten cocoyam samples were collected and cultured on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) using standard microbiological methods. Pure cultures were obtained by sub-culturing and isolates were characterised on the basis of their macroscopic (Colonial morphology) and microscopic features using slide culture technique and Lactophenol Cotton Blue (LPCB) staining. The results obtained showed the presence of three different genera of filamentous fungi responsible for the decay. Morphological identification of the isolated fungi showed them to be Rhopalomyces sp., Basidiobotrys sp. and Scopulariopsis sp. These spoilage organisms secrete extracellular hydrolytic enzymes that degrade the tuber’s starch and mucilage matrix and cause a loss of its rheological and soup-thickening properties. The results of the study showed that Rhopalomyces sp., Basidiobotrys sp. and Scopulariopsis sp. are the major cause of cocoyam spoilage in the study area, which is contrary to the usual ones like Aspergillus and Rhizopus found in other studies. The study demonstrated that decayed cocoyam sold for use as soup thickener harbours several fungal species capable of contributing to spoilage and highlights the need for improved handling and storage practices.

Item Type: Thesis (Other)
Subjects: Q Science > Q Science (General)
Q Science > QR Microbiology
Divisions: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Environmental Studies
Depositing User: Nnenna Ayo
Date Deposited: 03 Aug 2026 11:25
Last Modified: 03 Aug 2026 11:25
URI: http://eprints.gouni.edu.ng/id/eprint/6139

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