Research article

Post harvest fungi associated with contamination of Cabbage (brassica oleracea) and Lettuce (lactuca sativa) in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

*²Shuaibu NH, ¹Fatima SG, ¹Binta SB and ²Jamila MH

¹Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Kano

²Department of Biological Sciences, Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kano

*Corresponding E- mail: kutamasak@yahoo.com; Phone: +2347067371893

Accepted 23 December 2014

Abstract

Fungi associated with the contamination of cabbage and lettuce in Kano metropolis were surveyed for six months with the object of isolating and identifying fungi associated with spoilage and deterioration of cabbage and lettuce and to determine the relative abundance of each isolate. The surface of each of the spoilt cabbage and lettuce leaves was washed with 1% hypochlorite and rinsed in several changes of distilled water. The samples were then separately plated on PDA plate and SDA media and incubated at room temperature for 6 days. A total of (42) fungal isolates were obtained from all the vegetables. These isolates were identified as Mucor racemosa, Aspergillus flavus, Rhiozopus stolonifer, Penicillium, Neurospora crassa, and Altanaria brassica. From these findings, it was discovered that cabbage and lettuce harbors a lot of fungi which can be pathogenic and this is as a result of poor storage. Therefore, cabbage and lettuce should be properly washed before use or the spoilt portion be removed completely.

Keywords: cabbage, lettuce, fungal contamination, Kano metroplis