ABSTRACT
Tomato fruit rot is a common incidence due to inadequate preservation method and handling process which Increase the risk of infection with pathogenic Organism. This study was carried out to isolate and identify pathogenic microorganisms associated with deterioration of tomato fruits sold in popular markets in Benin City. Fifty (50) rotten and Fifty (50) fresh ( as control) tomato fruits making a total of 100 tomato fruit samples were sampled from 10 popular major markets which include: Oluku, Adolo, Uselu, Uwelu, Ogida, Oliha, Oba, Ikpoba Hill, Santana and New Benin Market, located in the four local government areas of Benin City. Juice from the Tomatos were cultured asceptically in culture media and incubated at 25⁰c and 37⁰c for fungi and bacteria growth respectively. The samples were also mounted on a grease free glass slide and viewed for parasite. Pathogens recorded were Shigella spp, Salmonella spp, Proteus spp, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas spp, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Mucor spp, Penicillium spp, Botrytis spp, Geotrichum candidum, Ascaris lumbricoides, Hook worm, Strongyloides stercoralis. The prevalence of the Bacteria Shigella, Salmonella, and Proteus spp varied significantly amongst the L.G.A, with Oredo/Ovia N.E/Egor, Oredo/Ovia N.E and Ovia N.E being the highest respectively. The prevalence of the Fungi Rhizopus, Aspergillus and Botrytis spp varied significantly in the L.G.A's with the highest being recorded in Ovia N.E, Egor and Oredo/Ikpoba Hill/Egor respectively. The prevalence of the parasite among L.G.A was not significantly different. The prevalence of bacteria in markets Follow the same pattern as that of L.G.A with the highest being recorded in Oluku/Uselu/Oba/Uwelu, Oluku/Oba/New Benin/Oliha/Ogida/Adolo/Ikpoba Hill and Oluku/Uwelu/Oba/Ikpoba Hill respectively. In Fungi the prevalence of Rhizopus, Mucor and Aspergillus varied significantly with Oluku/Oba/Ogida, All except Uselu, and Uwelu being the highest respectively. The prevalence of parasite varied significantly with Uselu, Oba, Adolo and Ikpoba Hill harbours no parasite. The analysis of the result reveal that rotten Tomato harbour pathogenic microorganisms that are deliterous to humans, hence should be avoided.
