PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH BUSH MANGO SEED (Irvingia gabonensis) IN IKOT EKPENE MAIN MARKET

ABSTRACT

The assessment of the pathogenic microorganisms associated with dried bush mango seed (Irvingia gabonensis) sold in Ikot Ekpene main market was carried out using standard microbiological analysis, the results revealed higher bacteria count for grounded bush mango seeds as 3.7 x 10⁴cfu/g and fungi count as 0.9 x 10⁴cfu/g, while ungrounded bush mango seeds harboured less bacterial count as 2.0 x 10⁴cfu/g and 0.4 x 10⁴cfu/g for fungi count. The study revealed the presence of three bacterial and fungal isolates with their frequency of occurrence and percentage to includes Staphylococcus spp and Bacillus spp 2(40.0%) respectively, Streptococcus sp had 1(20.0%) for bacteria, Aspergillus spp and Penicillium spp recorded frequencies and percentage frequency occurrence of 2(40.0%) while Mucor spp had 1(20.0%) for fungi respectively.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0     INTRODUCTION

Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O’Rorke) is a highly, economically important fruit tree native to most tropical forests in West and Central Africa (Harris, 1996; Lowe et al., 2000). It ranks highest of all non-timber forest products being proposed for domestication (Agbogidi and Okonta, 2003; Leakey et al., 2003; Ndoye et al., 1998). In West and Central Africa I. gabonensis is prominent among the trees of choice in agroforestry practices (Koyejo and Omokhua, 2001; Leakey, 1999; Okafor, 1985, 1991; Okafor et al., 1996). It is sometimes called bush mango or African mango because the trees bear mango-like fruits (Matos et al., 2009; Ngondi et al., 2005) of 4-7 cm long, green when unripe and yellow when ripe with a fleshy mesocarp (Etebu, 2013). Although, Irvingia sp. is widely recognized and exploited, it has been observed that the interest of most local harvesters is in the kernel or seed because it has the most known uses and is therefore considered the most valuable component of the fruit. Thus, once it is extracted, the mesocarp and other parts, which constitute over 80% of the fruit, are discarded as waste and left to rot in dumps, water bodies, pits or nearby bushes (Etebu, 2012; Ladipo et al., 1996).

 However, some works have shown that the pericarp of Irvingia fruits just like the kernels contain several nutritionally beneficial substances such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins etc. (Onimawo et al., 2003). This is in addition to various phytochemicals perceived to contribute to the wellbeing of locals who consume the fleshy components (mesocarp) of the fruit (Etebu, 2012, 2013). Furthermore, some researchers have reportedly used the mesocarp as feed for pigs, and in the production of fruit drinks, wine, jam and other syrups (Ayuk, 1999). I. gabonensis fruit ‘wastes’ are beginning to attract the attention of scientific research owing to the afore-mentioned potential benefits and uses. Etebu (2012) recently studied the fleshy component of the fruit (mesocarp) with a view to understanding some conditions under which Irvingia decays as well as the fungi associated with such decays. Fruits of I. gabonensis fruits are usually completely green at harvest with very few patchy specks of dark colourations without rot, but these fruits turn yellow as they ripened after about three days of harvest and develops brownish-black fruit rot disease symptoms which increases in severity with the passage of time. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium and Botrytis have been implicated with postharvest fruit rot of Irvingia (Etebu, 2012, 2013; Joseph and Aworh, 1991). Although these pioneering works on the pathology and fungal quality of postharvest Irvingia sp fruits are appreciated, there is still need to study the potential role of bacteria in the postharvest quality of the fruits, being very important determinant of postharvest spoilage of fruits, especially juicy and succulent fruits.

Hence, this research was aimed at identifying the pathogenic microorganism associated with the seed of Irvingia sp fruit. Findings from this work would serve to forewarn locals on the potential health risk or benefits and implications associated with consumption of I. gabonensis seed fruits.

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Soup thickener has become more predominant in home, restaurants and other eateries due to their functions as thickener and their nutritional contents.  The use of bush mango seed (I. gabonensis) as soup thickener has become popular in all cultures and ethnic group in Nigeria, not minding its prolong storage and unhygienic ways of storage of these products. Literature review from other research work has shown that bush mango seed harboured high level of pathogenic   bacteria and fungi thus, this research work will unveil the pathogenic bacteria and fungi presence in sample of bush mango seed (I. gabonensis) sold in Ikot Ekpene main market

1.2     AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate microorganisms associated with bush mango (I. gabonensis) sold in Ikot Ekpene main market.

Objectives of the study

i. To assess the bacteria associated with bush mango (I. gabonensis) sold    in Ikot Ekpene main market.

ii.To assess the fungi associated with bush mango (I. gabonensis) sold in    Ikot Ekpene main market.

iii. To suggest possible and safety means of handling and storing of the seeds

1.3     SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study is to evaluate the bacteria and fungi associated with dried stored bush mango seed (I. gabonensis) sold in Ikot Ekpene main market only.  Other parameters are not to be considered, which therefore limit this work to only microbial contents due to time frame during the research period and financial constraints, as all financial burden are purely on the researching student.

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