ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF MICROORGANISMS INVOLVED IN SPOILAGE OF FRUITS OBTAINED FROM MARKETS IN KANO METROPOLIS

Abstract

The microorganisms associated with the spoilage of fruits purchased fresh fruits (orange, water melon, banana, apple and pineapple) from various markets in Kano metropolitan were investigated. The pour plate method was used for the isolation. A total of nine species of microorganisms were isolated and identified in the microbial examination of spoilt fruit study. They comprise of seven bacterial and three fungal species. The seven bacterial species were Bacillus, Enterobacter, citrobacter, Acinobacter, Klesbsiella, Acromonas (Aeromonas) and Microcoecus Sp. Bacillus Sp and Micrococus Sp occurred in samples obtained from all Klebsiella Sp, was isolated only from two samples while Acinobacter Sp was isolated only from one sample.(orange and banana) The three fungi isolates were mucorSp, Saccharomyces Sp and Geotrichum Sp where asGeotrichum Sp and Saccharomyces Sp occurred in samples (orange, water melon, banana, apple and pineapple) obtained from Yankaba and Yanlemo markets. MucorSp was present only in two samples bought. The bacterial counts range was 4.8 to 6.1 u 104cfu/g. while the fungal count range was 2.1 – 4.8 x 104cfu/g proper handing methods of fruits to ensure food safety were discussed.