ABSTRACT
Fungi associated with the spoilage of cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) during storage at ambient temperature (28+20c) was investigated in this study. This was done by cutting the damaged portion of the cocoyam tubers and blend with diluents (water) to have even distribution of the microorganism and ensure ease of plating out. This done with the sample and inoculation was done from the 4th test tube on SDA medium and incubated for three to seven days at the temperature 0f 270c. The isolate with the highest population was Fusarium species, which was found to be 38%, followed by Rhizopus species 25%, Penicillium species 21%, Botryodiplodia species 7.9% While the isolate with the least population was Aspergillus species which was found to be 6.3%. The total colony count of each isolate are; Fusarium species 72 colony, Rhizopus species 47 colony, Pencillium 15 colony, Botryodiplodia species 15 colony, and Aspergillus species is 12 colony. The occurrence of mechanical damage should be reduced by leaving the tubers untrimmed during storage at ambient temperature (28+20c) to control these prevalent moulds which lead to the spoilage of cocoyam.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
1.2 Statement of Problems
1.3 Research Objectives
1.4 Research Question
1.5 Research Hypothesis
1.6 Scope of Study
1.7 Significance of study
1.8 Limitation of study
1.9 Definition of terms
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Research methodology
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population of study
3.3 Sampling Design and Procedure
3.4 Data Collection Instrument
3.5 Administration of Data Collection Instrument
3.6 Methods of data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Data Presentation and Analysis
4.1 Data Presentation
4.2 Test of Hypothesis
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
References
Questionnaire