Public Health Implications of Fungal Associated with Post-Harvest Spoilage of Vegetables in Osogbo Metropolis

Study of fungi responsible for the post-harvest spoilage of Amaranthus hybridus, Celosia argentea, Talinum triangulare and Solarnum macrocarpon from four different markets within Osogbo metropolis, Osun state, Nigeria was carried out. Healthy vegetable samples were collected from the selected markets. Fungal species found associated with the deterioration of the various vegetables tested included Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium maniffei, Trichoderma harzianum, Microsporum specie, Fusarium oxysporum, Trichophyton terrestre, Bipolaris hawaiiensis, Geotrichum candidum, Rhizopus specie and Rhizopus stolonifer. All isolated fungi were pathogenic to the different vegetables from the result of pathogenicity tests that were carried out.