Morpho-molecular identification of fungi associated with nutmeg (Myristica fragrans h.) seeds
Main Article Content
Abstract
Nutmeg is a spice made from the seeds of an evergreen tree Myristica fragrans. Nutmeg has rich health benefits such as the ability to relieve pain, strengthen cognitive function, detoxify the body, enhance skin appearance and slow aging process, improve dental conditions, stimulate digestion and relieves bloating, diarrhea, indigestion and constipation and also improves sleep by decreasing activity of stress-related enzymes. It has been noted that the conventional way of storing nutmeg seeds is insufficient to stop fungi from growing on them, even though they only live for two to four years. The common fungal infections causing nutmeg seed post-harvest degradation were isolated and identified through a study. The nutmeg seeds were obtained in Choba Market located in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. Fungal isolates were collected and morphologically identified. The DNA of the most common fungal isolate, NS-2A was molecularly characterized using Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 and 4 (ITS-1F and 4R) molecular markers. Aspergillus niger was identified as the NS-2A isolate by morphological examinations. The isolates' DNA had a molecular weight of over 500 base pairs. The isolates' DNA sequences showed 99% similar to Aspergillus niger based on sequence similarity. These findings showed that Aspergillus niger is the causal fungal pathogen of post-harvest rot of nutmeg. Phylogenetic tree was constructed to access the relationship between the isolates obtained from this study. This study has provided information on some of the fungal organisms harboured in nutmeg. It is anticipated that this result will provide information for disease control approach for alleviating the post-harvest losses of nutmeg caused by Aspergillus niger and provide a foundation for further study of possible harm of consuming diseased nutmeg.
Article Details
References
Aoki, T., K. O'Donnell, Y. Homma and A. R. Lattanzi, 2003. Sudden death syndrome of soybean is caused by two morphologically and phylogenetically distinct species within the Fusarium solani species complex—f. Virguliforme in North America and F. Tucumaniae in South America. Mycologia, 95(4): 660-684. https://doi.org/10.2307/3761942
Bennett, J. W. and M. Klich, 2003. Mycotoxins. Clinical microbiology reviews, 16(3), 497–516. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.16.3.497-516.2003
Dahlan, S. A., U. Ahmad and I. D. Subrata, 2018. Visual method for detecting contaminant on dried nutmeg using fluorescence imaging. Earth and Environmental Science, 147: 1-7. doi :10.1088/1755-1315/147/1/012003
Dharmaputra, O. S., S. Ambarwati and I. Retnowati, 2015. Fungal infection and aflatoxin contamination in stored nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) kernels at various stages of delivery chain in North Sulawesi Province. Biotropia, 22(2): 129-139. https://doi.org/10.11598/btb.2015.22.2.458
Elenwo, N. E. 2002. Eliminating seedborne fungi of African nutmeg used in Southern Nigeria. Global Journal of Agricultural Science, 1 (1): 49-54.
Frisvad, J. C., O. L. Thomas, , U. Thrane, M. Martin, V. Janos, R. A. Samson and K. F. Nielsen, 2011. Fumonisin and ochratoxin production in industrial Aspergillus niger strains. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0023496
Helena, I., L., Matheus and I. Rodrigues, 2021. Food/feed science and technology survey of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in spices from Brazilian market. Available at: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0222-2841. Retrieved on: 20/01/2023.
ISTA (International Seed Testing Association) 2016. International rules for seed testing. Rules amendments. Seed science technology, 29: 1-127.
Kubala, J. 2019. Science backed benefits of nutmeg. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nutmeg-benefits. Retrieved on 28/01/2023.
Lutzoni, F., F. Kauff, C.J. Cox, D. McLaughlin, G, Celio, B. Dentinger, M. Padamsee, D. Hibbett, T. Y. James, E. Baloch, M. Grube, V. Reeb, V. Hofstetter, C. Schoch, A. E. Arnold, J. Miadlikowska, J. Spatafora, D. Johnson, S. Hambleton, M. Crockett, R. Vilgalys, 2004. Assembling the fungal tree of life: Progress, classification, and evolution of subcellular traits. American Journal of Botany, 91 (10): 1446-1480. DOI: 10.3732/ajb.91.10.1446.
Peter-Onoh, C. A., J. C. Obiefuna, A. A. Ngwuta, M. O. Ofor, G.O. Thejirika, E. M. Nwokh, U. L.Thenacho and C. Cookey, 2019. Nutrient quality of stored Monodora myristica spice (African nutmeg: Ehuru) in South-Eastern Nigeria. International journal of gender and development issues, 1:54-62.
Mrunal, F. 2019. Benefits of Nutmeg-Know How This Spice Can Make Your Family’s Life Better. Available at https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/spices-and-herbs/195/2. Retrieved on 24/01/2022.
Nurtjahja, K., S. O., Dharmaputra, W. P., Rahayu and R. S. Nazli, 2017. Fungal population of nutmeg kernels affected by water activity during storage. Agritech, 37(3): 288-294. DOI: http://doi.org/10.22146/agritech.10639
Perrone, G., A., Susca, G., Cozzi, K., Ehrlich, J., Varga, J. C., Frisvad, M., Meijer, P., Noonim, W., Mahakarnchanakul and R. A. Samson, 2007. Biodiversity of Aspergillus species in some important agricultural products. Studies in mycology, 59:53–66. https://doi.org/10.3114/sim.2007.59.07
Pryce, T. M., S., Palladino, I. D. Kay and G. W. Coombs, 2003. Rapid identification of fungi by sequencing the ITS 1 and ITS 2 regions using an automated capillary electrophoresis system. Medical mycology, 41: 369- 381.
Sari, M. P., D. Florina, D. Wahyuno and D. Manohara, 2020 Phytophthora sp a causal agent of leaf soft rot disease of nutmeg in Indonesia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 418 (1): 012031
Senawong, T. S. Saenglee, S. Misuna, W. Bunyatratchata, N. Sattayasai, G. Senawong, A. Surapaitoon and B. Sripa, 2014. Histone Deacetylase Inhibitory Activity and Antiproliferative Activity of the Cultured Medium of Aspergillus niger strain TS1. Chiang Mai Journal of Science, 41:981-991.
Snowdon, A. L. 1990. A colour atlas of post-harvest diseases and disorders of fruits and vegetables: General introduction and fruits. Wolfe scientific. pp. 1-302.
Toma, M. A., K. H. M. N. H., Nazir, Md. M., Mahmud, P., Mishra, Md. K., Ali, A., Kabir, Md. A. H., Shahid, 2021. Isolation and identification of natural colorant producing soil-borne Aspergillus niger from Bangladesh and extraction of the pigment. Foods, 10(6):1280. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/foods10061280.
Zhao, X., D., Zhang, Y., Zhou and M. Yang, 2021. Development and optimization of a method based on UPLC-MS/MS for the simultaneous determination of 21 mycotoxins in nutmeg and related products. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2021.106499. Retrieved on: 20/01/2022.
Marrouche H, Bachiri, Bounar R. The medicinal plants of Bousaada (M’sila, Algeria) 2021. Algerian Journal of Biosciences., 02;02:088-92. doi :http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5810361.