Fungal and Bacterial Contaminants Associated with the Spoilage of Mushroom Spawn

Abstract

Contamination has been a major problem associated with spawn of mushroom. In this study, the contaminating microorganisms in the spawn were isolated, identified and described. Results indicated that majority of microorganisms causing spawn contamination were mainly fungal pathogens; a very low percentage of bacterial contamination was observed. The fungal species causing contamination were Fusarium chlamydosporum, Phoma exigua, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium pallidoroseum. Only one bacterial contaminant i.e. Bacillus sp. was reported under study. Aspergillus fumigatus was the major fungal contaminant and Bacillus sp. was the only bacterial contaminant isolated from spawn incubation room environment, whereas from spawn inoculation room contaminants isolated wereFusarium pallidoroseum and Staphylococcus sp.