African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 2 (1), pp. 23–25, January 2003

ISSN 1684-5315  © 2003 Academic Journals  

Pre-harvest deterioration of Sour sop (Annona muricata) at Ibadan Southwestern Nigeria and its effect on nutrient composition

N. A.  Amusa*, O. A.  Ashaye,  M. O. Oladapo and O.O. Kafaru

Institute of Agricultural Research and Training Obafemi, Awolowo University Moor Plantation PMB 5029 Ibadan, Nigeria

*Corresponding author; e-mail: drart@infoweb.abs.net

Accepted 19 December 2002

The etiology of pre-harvest deterioration of Soursop (Annona muricata) fruit in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria and the effects on its nutrient composition was investigated. Four fungal pathogens including Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium sp., Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus niger were found associated with the pre-harvest deteriorating soursop . B. theobromae was the most prevalent and the most pathogenic inducing rot of 75 mm in diameter within four days of inoculation.  There was a remarkable reduction in carbohydrate and protein contents of the fungal infected fruits while all other nutrients and mineral assayed were higher in the infected fruits than the non-infected ones.

Key words: Annona muricata, fungal pathogens, pre-harvest deterioration.