The study investigated fungi associated with post harvest tomato fruits sold in the open market in Port Harcourt Metropolis. The antifungal activity (bitter leaf) extracts against spoilage was studied using well-in-agar diffusion method. Results showed that mean percentage incidence of fungi isolated from tomato fruits were Rhizopus stolonifer (56%), Aspergillus niger (62%) and Altermaria altermata (35%). Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina at different concentrations (20%, 40%, and 60%) (w/v) were used against fungi isolates, while water and ketoconzole (0.5 mg/mL) served as negative and positive control, respectively. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of V. amygdalina inhibited the growth of all three test fungi. There were significant differences (p > 0.05) in the mean inhibitory effects of plant extracts and control. Antifungal activity measured as diameter of zone of inhibition revealed that V. amygdalina acqueous extract at 60% was very active against Aspergillus niger (16.50 mm) and Alternaria altermata (16.00 mm), while being moderately active against Rhizopus stolonifer (13.00 mm). However, 60% ethanolic extract of V. amygdalina was very active against A. niger (19.00 mm), A. altermata (17.00 mm) and Rhizopus stolonifer (15.80 mm). Phytochemical screening of V. amygdalina revealed the presence of tannins, oxalate, saponnins, flavanoid, cynogenic glucoside, phytate and Alkaloids V. amygdalina could serve as a potentially viable alternative to chemical fungicides in the preservation of post harvest tomato fruits (Lycopersicum esculentum).

Studies on the pathological evaluation and nutritional composition of golden melon was carried out in the Plant Pathology and Food Science and Technology Laboratories in the Rivers State University. The freshly harvested fruits of the golden melon had high amount of moisture (58±0.04), sucrose, total solid, lipid with very low ash (0.56±0.00). Mineral composition analysis also revealed high amount of calcium (98.5±0.01), moderate quantity of potassium, and low amount of phosphorus (21.4±0.00). Vitamins A and C were also present in the fruits. Other components found were lactic acid and saponnins which occurred in minute quantities.Pathological evaluation of the associated fungi showed that five different fungi with varying degrees of incidence were associated with the spoilage of the fruits of golden melon. These fungi were Botrytis cinerea (60%), Aspergillus flavus(30%), Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus tamari (5%) respectively while Muccor species recorded the highest incidence (70%). However, all the fungal isolates were found to be pathogenic causing soft rot characterized by oozing of water with offensive odour.

Studies on the determination of mineral and proximate compositions of Pleurotus ostreatus grown on three agrowastes were carried out in the

IT95K-366-1, IT93K-452-1, IT95K-1090-12, IT97K-1034-14, IT97K-508-2, IT95K-1091

Ten improved varieties of cassava Manihot esculenta (Crantz)