ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH SPOILAGE OF

FRUITS.
(ORANGE AND TOMATO)

BY

MICHEAL GRACE AMARACHI

20/DSLT/6193

BEING A PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE

LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
OSUN STATE POLYTECHNIC, IREE NIGERIA

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF

NATIONAL DIPLOMA (ND) IN SICIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY,
FACULTY OF SCIENCE, OSUN STATE POLYTECHNIC, IREE, OSUN STATE
NIGERIA

NOVEMBER, 2022

i
 CERTIFICATION
This is to certify that this research project was written by OLAWALE OLALEKAN BASHIR

with the matric number 20/DSLT/6190. The project has been red and approved as meeting the

requirement for the award of National Diploma (ND) in Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty

of Science, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree.

…………………….. ……………………..
MR BUSARI T. DATE
SUPERVISOR

…………………….. ……………………..
DR OLAKUNLE T. P. DATE
COORDINATOR

ii
 DEDICATION
This project report is dedicated to Almighty God, the author and the finisher of our faith, who

has kept us with His mercy and to our lovely and caring parents.

iii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
My appreciation goes to the Almighty God, the creator of the universe, who has given me the
opportunity to complete this report, despite all stresses encountered all praises and adoration be
unto him.

My heartfelt thanks go to my supervisor, Mr. Busari T., for his assistance and educational
supervision. My profound appreciation also goes to the Coordinator of Department of Science
Laboratory Technology, Dr Olakunle T. P. and all the lecturers in the department. May the Lord
continue to strengthen you. My special thanks also goes to my parents for their love, support and
financial assistance, may you live long to reap the fruit of your labour. My appreciation also goes
to my sisters, brothers and friends. Thanks a lot, God bless you all.

iv
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title......................................................................................................................................i
Certification........................................................................................................................ii
Dedication..........................................................................................................................iii
Acknowledgement.............................................................................................................iv
Table of Contents...............................................................................................................v
List of Tables.....................................................................................................................vi
List of Figures...................................................................................................................vii
Abstract...........................................................................................................................viii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW 1

1.0 Introduction and Literature review 1
1.1 Importance of Fruits to Man 1
1.2 Orange 3
1.3 Description of Orange 3
1.4 Tomato 4
1.5 Description of Tomato 4
1.6 Taxonomy of Orange and Tomato 5
1.7 Purpose of Study 6

CHAPTER TWO: METHODOLOGY 7

2.1 Materials 7
2.2 Method 7
2.3 Sterilization of materials 7
2.4 Preparation of Media 8
2.5 Method of Isolation 8

v
 2.6 Method of identification 8
2.7 Pathogenicity test 9

CHAPTER THREE: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 10

3.1 Results 10
3.2 Observed Symptoms on the Spoiled fruit 10
3.3 Result for Pathogenicity Test 12
3.4 Discussion 12

CHAPTER FOUR: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 18

4.1 Conclusion 18
4.2 Recommendations 18

REFERENCES 19

vi
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: colonial, morphological and cellular characteristics of fungi associated with the spoilage
of orange fruit.

Table 2 colonial, morphology and cellular characteristics of fungi associated with the spoilage of
tomato fruits

vii
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure1: cellular structure of Aspergillus niger

Figure2: cellular structure of Rhizopus, stolonifer

Figure3: cellular structure of Penicillium digitatum

Figure4: Cellular structures of fusarium Solani

Figures: cellular structure of Yeast

viii
 ABSTRACT

Healthy orange and tomato fruits were subjected to spoilage on laboratory bench. The spoilage
micro organisms were isolated by using potato dextrose agar (PDA) for fungi isolated from
orange and tomato fruit. Pure cultures of the isolate were obtained. The found associated with the
spoilage of these fruits (orange and tomato) were identified to be Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus,
stolonifer, Yeast, fusarium Solani Penicillium digitatum were associated with the spoilage of
fruits.

ix