ISOLATION, IDENTIFICATION AND CHARATERIZATION OF FUNGI ASSOCIATED
WITH THE SPOILAGE OF CORN
ABSTRACT
Fungi spoilage organisms are silently invading acidifying, fermenting, discoloring, and disintegrating microbes that render corn (zea mays) unpalatable and unsafe.  Fungi spoilage is caused by two factors, (biotic) living which includes insects, birds, rodents and microorganisms and (non-biotic) non-living which includes temperature, humidity and time.  Two samples of spoilt corn, red (treated) and white were taken from the store respectivly for investigation to ascertain the microorganism associated with the spoilage of the corn.  Attention was focused on fungi.  Different methods were used in the identification and five genera were isolated.  Mucor spp occurred with a frequency of approximately 6%, Aspergillus spp 9%, Rhizopus spp 15%, Penicillium spp 33% and Fusarium spp. 36%.  Fusarium spp was most frequent in occurrence in both samples.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
1.0        Introduction                                                
1.1    Statement of the problem                     
1.2    Aims/Objective of the Study                  
1.3    Limitation of the Study                                 
1.4    Significance of the Study                      
CHAPTER TWO
2.0        Literature Review                                                
2.1    Maize as Sweet Corn                                    
2.2    Types of Sugary Corn and Their Qualities        
2.2.1 White Corn                                                 
2.2.2 Yellow Corn                                                        
2.2.3 Bi-Coloured Corn                                                 
2.2.4 Mlti-coloured corn                                                
2.2.5 Black Corn                                                 
2.3    Sugery Extender and Super Sweet Type of Corn
2.3.1 Yellow Corn                                                
2.3.2 White Corn                                         
2.3.3 Bio-Coloured Corn                                       
2.4    Uses of Maize                                             
2.4.1 Human Food                                               
2.4.2 Table 1: Nutritional Values of Maize        
2.4.3 Ornament                                          
2.4.4 Fodder                                                       
2.4.5 Bio-Fuel                                                             
2.5    Factors That can Enhance Corn Spoilage         
2.6    Some Diseases and Pests of Corn                   
CHAPTER THREE
3.0        Materials and Methods                                  
3.1    Materials                                                            
3.2    Methods                                                             
3.2.1 Collection of Sample                                    
3.2.2 Sterilization of the Class Wears                      
3.2.3 Preparation of Culture media                                 
3.2.4 Preparation of sample                                  
3.2.5 Plating Techniques                                               
3.3    Identification and Characterization of Isolate
3.3.1 Culture Characteristics                                  
3.3.2 Colony Morphology                                              
3.3.3 Spore Staining                                            
3.3.4 Motility Test                                                        
3.5   Biochemical Test                                          
3.5.1 Carbohydrate Assimilation Test                      
3.5.2 Amino-Acid Assimilation Test                         
3.5.3 Hydrolysis Test                                            
3.5.4 Lipase Activity Test                                              
3.3.5 Fungi Identification                                              
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0          Results                                                             
4.1      Identification                                                    
4.2      Enumeration of Isolate                                       
4.2.1  Table IV:  frequency of Visible Colonies
4.2.2  Figure I:  Histogram of Isolate Frequency       
4.2.3  Figure II:  Colony Plates of Fungi Isolates       
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0       DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
5.1    Discussion                                                  
5.2    Conclusion                                                  
5.3    Recommendation                                        
        References
        Appendix
LIST OF TABLE
i.             Cultural and Morphological Characteristics Identification
ii.            Spore Formation, Motility and Biochemical Identification
iii.          Frequency of visible colonies
iv.          Figure I:  Histogram of Isolate Frequency
v.           Figure II: Culture Plates of Fungi Isolates
CHAPTER ONE
1.0       INTRODUCTION
What food is more synonymous with summon than freshly picked corn on the cob?  Corn grows in “ears, each of which is covered in rows of kernels that are then protected by the silk-like threads called “corn silk” and encased in a husk. Corn is known scientifically as Zea Mays.  This moniker reflects its traditional name, Maize, by which it was known to the Native Americans as well as many other cultures throughout the world.  Although we often associate corn with the colour yellow, it actually comes in host of different varieties featuring an array of different colors, including red, pink, black, purple and blue.  Although corn is now available in markets years round, it is the locally grown varieties that you can purchase during the summer months that not only tastes the best but are usually the least expensive (Pitt and Hocking, et al., 2009).
From the time when primitive man began to cultivate crops and store food, spoilage fungi have demanded their tithe.  Fuzzes, powders and slimes of white or black, green, orange, red and brown are signs of silently invading, acidifying, fermenting, discoloring and disintegrating microbes rending commodities unpalatable or unsafe (Pitt and Hocking 2002). Pitt and Hocking 2009, also stated that in a prophetic article warned of the danger from common spoilage fungi.  Since 1960, a seemingly endless dream of pathogenic fungi discovered.  On these ground alone, the statement “it is only a mould” is no longer acceptable to microbiologist, health inspectors or consumers.  The demand for accurate identification and characterization of food spoilage fungi has become urgent.  
This research work is focused on corn and its spoilage organisms.  It set out to document current knowledge on the interaction of corn and fungi in the context of spoilage.  Area covered are how the fungi is isolated using the suitable best media and identification of corn spoilage fungi.  Mycologist develops preference and peculiarities of the type of fungi that are routinely grown.  Media will affect colony morphology and color whether particular structures are formed or not, and may affect whether the fungus will be even in culture (Hunt et al, 2004).
1.1    STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
          Corn (Zea Mays) is a grain grown by farmers in various parts of the world especially in Africa.  Its spoilage most times limits its availability to consumers and causes economic waste to farmers. Corn is mostly spoiled by fungi.  The identification and characterization of these spoilage organisms will go a long way to profer solution on matter how little to this problem of corn spoilage.
1.2       AIMS/OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
To microbiologically evaluate and identify fungi involved in corn spoilage using maize as case study.
1.3       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study will help in the acquisition of the knowledge of fungi associated or involved in the spoilage of corn, factors that enhance spoilage of corn and the risk involved in the consumption of spoilt corn.