ABSTRACT

Essential nutrients are prepared for the growth of microorganisms in culture media. In this investigation, the goal was to ascertain how temperature, nutrient status affected the mycelial extension growth of some common moilds. The isolates were obtained from yam, groundnuts, oranges, and onions. They were all purchased from food vendors in  Uselu market, Egor Local Government in  Benin City, Edo state. The two media used were Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and Malt yeast agar (MEA), and they were tested at various temperature range (4°C, 28°C, 37°C). The results revealed the presence of Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus Flavus, Aspergillus nidulan, Pseudomonas oxalicum organisms. The radial mycelial growths of individual isolates showed distinctive differences. Sabouraud dextrose agar and Malt yeast agar both showed significant variation at 4°C, 28°C, and  37°C. At the various temperature range, there was notable increases within the individual isolates with Aspergillus niger  the most favourable for the fast radial growth of mycelium, followed by Penicilliumoxalicum  Aspergillus flavus  and  Aspergillus nidulan been the least. The radial mycelia growth rate of the molds was medium dependent. Whereas, the effect temperature was a crucial criteria as isolates were found growing well at 4°C or 37°C but there was variation of mycelia growth at 28°C for all isolates. In essence, this study proves that environmental factors such as temperature affect the microbial growth rate of different isolates.