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ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of a selected fungicide (Red force) against spoilage fungi Aspergillus speciesand Rhizopus species isolated from food source. The fungicide was purchased from a chemical shop along Ibiwe Road in Benin City, Edo State. Serial dilutions were prepared at 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, 10-5 and 10-5. Spoilt tomato samples, obtained from Uselu market, were used. Samples of diluents of the fungi isolates were cultured on Potato Dextrose Agar medium (PDA) and allowed to incubate for 72hrs at 25 0C. Fungal colonies were identified as Aspergillus sp. and Rhizopus sp. Subculturing unto fresh PDA medium was done. Before incubating the freshly innoculated media, they were treated with the various dilutions of the Redforce fungicide. Once treated, they were incubated for a duration of five days. At the end of 5 days the results revealed that the fungicide exhibited cidal effects against both fungi. Mycelia growth decreased with increase in concentration of Redforce fungicide from 3.00 to 2.30 cm for Aspergillus sp. In the case of Rhizopus sp. mycelia growth decreased with increase in concentration of Redforce fungicide from 5.20 to 4.10 cm. Findings from the study revealed the cidal and effective control mechanisms exhibited by fungicide. The study strongly suggests the possible use of effective but less harmful fungicide in the control of spoilage microorganisms so as to increase and improve storage.
