Abstract

Fruits and vegetables are essential components of the human diet because they provide rich sources of nutrients such as vitamins, mineral elements (e.g., K, Mg, and Fe), dietary fibre, and antioxidants, all of which are important for maintaining human health and preventing diseases. Unfortunately, postharvest fungal and bacterial diseases contribute significantly to food deterioration and losses, thereby exacerbating global food insecurity, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana. In this study, isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus obtained from the aeromycoflora of markets in Accra, Ghana, were used to evaluate the pathogenicity of the fungus on selected fruits, namely mango, tomato, and orange, using conventional pathogenicity assessment methods. Disease development was monitored using the Disease Progress Curve (DPC) and the Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC). The disease progression curves obtained over a 7-day period were sigmoid in shape, characteristic of a monocyclic disease pattern involving a single infection cycle. Mango recorded the highest AUDPC value (13.69 cm), followed by tomato (11.70 cm) and orange (3.98 cm), indicating varying levels of susceptibility among the fruits. Statistical analysis showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in the levels of infection and susceptibility to Aspergillus fumigatus. The relatively lower susceptibility of orange fruits was attributed to the protective three-layered structure of the peel (epicarp, mesocarp, and endocarp), which appeared to slow pathogen invasion and rot progression during the 7-day incubation period. The study demonstrates the potential role of Aspergillus fumigatus in contributing to postharvest fruit losses in major markets in Ghana.

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