The present investigation was carried out to isolate and identify fungal contaminants associated with the spoilage of fruits and vegetables obtained from Rythubazar, C-Camp, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India. A variety of visibly spoiled produce samples were collected and subjected to standard microbiological techniques for fungal isolation using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium. Morphological and microscopic examination facilitated the identification of six distinct fungal genera: Aspergillus, Fusarium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Penicillium, and Candida. Among these, Aspergillus spp. were found to be the most predominant, whereas Candida spp. were the least frequently encountered. Pathogenicity tests were performed by reinoculating healthy fruits and vegetables with isolated fungal strains, which reproduced characteristic spoilage symptoms, thereby confirming their role in post-harvest decay. The study highlights the diversity and prevalence of fungal contaminants in local market produce and emphasizes the importance of proper post-harvest handling, storage, and fungal management practices to reduce economic losses and health risks.
Kavitha et al. (Mon,) studied this question.