Abstract

Some fungi deteriorate the quality of tomatoes and cause economic loss to the traders. This study was carried out to investigate the spoilage attributes of fungi associated with spoilage of tomato fruits. Spoiled tomato fruits were obtained from 3 markets in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Fungi were isolated from the spoilt area of the fruits, and they were identified through colonial and microscopic characterization. Spoilage attributes of identified fungi were determined by inoculation in healthy tomato fruits. The fungi isolated were identified as Aspergillus niger, Geotrichum candidum, Phytophthora infestans, Mucor species, Aspergillus nidulans, Sclerotinia sclerotorium, and Penicillium species. Mucor species occurred most frequently (21.15 %) while Geotrichum candidum had the lowest percentage occurrence (5.77 %). Apergillus niger had the highest rot diameter (52±3 mm) in healthy tomato fruits, while Penicillium species had the lowest rot diameter (17±3 mm) in healthy tomato fruits. It is concluded that among the fungi causing spoilage of tomatoes, Aspergillus niger has the highest spoilage attribute, and post-harvest sanitary control should be targeted at controlling or eliminating population of Aspergillus species.