Microbial diversity of fruit and vegetable market dumpsite soils in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
Abstract
A study was conducted to study the bacterial and fungal biodiversity in fruit and vegetable dumpsite soils of the main fruit and vegetable market in Yola, Adamawa State Nigeria. The dumpsites were chosen based on their significant contribution to the local waste disposal system in the market. The biological properties of the dumpsite soils were assessed by investigating microbial abundance and diversity of bacteria and fungi only. Plate count was carried out to quantify their population in the samples and statistical analysis using Dunnett's test revealed that there were significant (P < 0.05) differences in bacterial and fungal counts between the fruit and vegetable dumpsite soils. Bacterial count in the fruit dumpsite soil was 7.23 X 105 Cfu/g while in the vegetable dumpsite it was 5.63 X 105 Cfu/g and 1.50 X 105 Cfu/g in the control pot. The fungal count was 5.14 X 105 Cfu/g, 4.14 X 105 Cfu/g and 1.40 X 105 Cfu/g for fruit dumpsite soil, and vegetable dumpsite soil and control respectively. Based on the combination of biochemical characteristics, different isolates of bacteria were identified such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Proteus sp while some fungal isolates such as Aspergillus niger, Mucor species, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium species, Aspergillus fumigates and Fusarium species were identified in both of the dumpsites. The present study has revealed some of the bacteria and fungi that thrive in the market dumpsite known to be associated with organic waste degradation however, the presence of potential pathogens like Escherichia coli and Aspergillus flavus raises concern for more caution in organic waste disposition especially near waterways and its subsequent use in Nigeria.
Keywords: Fruit, vegetable, bacteria, fungi, dumpsite soil
