⚠ Official Notice: www.ijisrt.com is the official website of the International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology (IJISRT) Journal for research paper submission and publication. Please beware of fake or duplicate websites using the IJISRT name.



Molecular Characterization of Microorganisms Associated with Melon (Colocynthis citrullus L.) Seeds Sold in Three Markets in Delta State, Nigeria


Authors : Eshalomi Oghenemaro; Isalar Oluwatoyin Funmilayo

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/mrcm643p

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/3erawu2p

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr795

PlumX Metrics

Semantic Scholar

ResearchGate

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Microorganisms that relate to Colocynthis citrullus (L.) seeds collected from three markets: Igbudu, Kpolokor and Ugborikoko within Uvwie Local Government Area in Delta State, were studied. The isolation of the fungi that were attached to the seeds was done using Standard Blotter and Agar Methods. Isolation of bacteria was done using Serial Dilution and Nutrient Agar Methods. Total Heterotropic Bacteria Counts (THBC) were determined at the dilution factors of 10-3 , 10-5 and 10-7 . Based on the morphological, cultural, colour of the individual colonies and number of viable count of bacteria, the 10-5 dilution factor was subjected to different biochemical tests and basic molecular techniques to identify the bacteria to the species level. Ten microorganisms were identified and isolated: Aspergillus flavus link Ex fr, Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht, Penicillium spp Thom, Rhizopus stolonifer Enhreb ex Link, Aspergillus niger Van Tiegh (fungi); Bacillus flexus, Bacillus infantis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas xiamenensis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (bacteria). The outcome showed that Melon seeds collected in the Igbudu market had the highest fungal load of (38%) and Kpolorkor and Ugborikoko had (31) and (31) respectively. The overall number of heterotrophic bacteria counted in each of the markets was maximum 16.2 x 104 cfu-g at Igbudu market, minimum 8.7 x 104 cfu-g at Kpolokor and Ugborikoko had the lowest 5.5 x 104 cfu-g. There is also a need to sensitize vendors on the need to maintain high standards of handling such seeds to avoid microbial contamination.

Keywords : Colocynthis citrullus, Microorganism, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Sequencing.

References :

  1. Adeleke, R.O. and O.A. Abiodun. 2010. Nutritional and physico-chemical properties of Bombax glabrum Seeds. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition. 9 (9): 856- 857.
  2. AOAC, (1995). Association Official Analytical Chemists. Official Method of Analysis (13th Edition) Washington DC,pp 1018.
  3. Anon O (1993). In IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogeic risks to humans. Int. Agency for Res. on Cancer. 56: 245 - 395
  4. Asibuo, J. Y., Akromah. R., Safo-Kantanka O. O., sei, Adu-Dapaah., Hanskofi O.S and Agyeman A., (2008) Chemical Composition of Groundnut, Arachis hypogaea (L) landraces, African Journal of Biotechnology, 7(13), 2203-2208,
  5. Ataga, A.E and Umechuruba, C.I( 1997). Biochemical changes in African Yam Bean seeds caused by Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium palidoreseum and Penicillium oxalim. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Science 4(4): 381-384
  6. Atasie, V.N., T.F. Akinhanmi and C.C. Ojiodu. 2009. Proximate analysis and physico-chemical properties of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Pakistan Journal of Nutrition. 8 (2): 194-197.
  7. Ayoola P. P, Adeyeye A, (2010). Effect of heating on the chemical composition and the physicochemical properties of Arachis hypogea (groundnut) seed flour and oil. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 9: 751-754.
  8. Bankole SA, Ogunsanwo BM, Mabekoje OO (2004). Natural occurrence of moulds and aflatoxins in melon seeds from markets in Nig. Food Chem. Toxicol.42,1309 – 1324
  9. Bilgrami K. S, Jamaluddin, Sinha R. K, Prasad, T. (1979) Changes in seed contents of paddy (Oryza sativa L.) due to fungal flora. Phytopathology 96: 9–14.
  10. Crocker W. and Barton L. V., (1957) Physiology of seed. Chronica Botanica Waltham, Massachusetts, 267.
  11. Cummings DG (1986). Groundnut. The unpredictable legume: Production constraints and Research needs. Proceedings International Symposium, ICRISAT Sahelian Center, Niamey, Niger.
  12. David, O.M. and E.Y. Aderibigbe, 2010. Microbiology and proximate composition of 'ogiri', a pastry produced from different melon seeds. New York Sci. J., 3: 18-27.
  13. Dawczynski C, Schubert R, Jahreis G. (2007). Amino acids, fatty acids and dietary fibre in edible seaweed products. Food Chemistry. 103: 891-899.
  14. Dinges MM, Orwin PM and Schlievert PM (2000). Exotoxins of Staphylococcus aureus. Clin Microbiol Rev. 13(1):16-34
  15. Eke-Ejiofor J, Kiin –Kabari DB, Chukwu EC, (2012). Effect of processing method on the proximate, mineral and fungi properties of groundnut (Arachis hypogea). Seed Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences. 3: 257– 261.
  16. Emiri, U. N.; Enaregha, E. B. (2019) Mycoflora associated with Brachystegia eurycoma (achi) seeds and their effects on the biochemical properties of the seed. International Journal of Bioscience and Biochemistry 1 (2):14-18
  17. Elegbede J. A (1998). Legumes. In: Nutritional quality of plant foods. 1st edn. Post-harvest Research Unit. Department of Biochemistry, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria, pp. 53-83.
  18. Etaware PM (2019) Stereotyping Fungi Affecting Stored Melon Seeds within Local Markets in Lagos, Nigeria. J Appl Microb Res. 2: (2) 14-20
  19. Etim, J. U.; Ishoro, A. P.; Okay, E. N.; Akpan, J. B.; Effiong, P. F.(2014) Mycoflora associated with cocoa (Theobrema cacao) pods obtained in the field and their effects on seed nutritional content. Science Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research. 2 (12): 236-241.
  20. Fagbohun, E. D., Lawal, O.U. and Hassan O.A. (2011) The chemical composition and mycoflora of sundried shelled melon seeds (Citrullus vulgaris) during storage. International Research Journal of Microbiology.  2 (8): 310-314
  21. Fayinka F.A.(2004) Food security in Nigeria: challenges under democratic dispensation.  Paper presented at the 9th ARMTI Annual Lecture, March 24, 2004.
  22. Gemede H. F, Ratta N. (2014). Antinutritional factors in plant foods: Potential health benefits and adverse effects. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Science. 3 (4): 284-289.
  23. Ibironke AA, Olusola OO. 2013. Phytochemical screening, proximate analysis and antimicrobial activity of aqueous extract of Megaphrynium macrostachchyum seeds. International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology. 2: 2123-2131
  24. Isalar O.F and Ataga A.E. (2019) The Effect of Fusarium Oxysporum and Macrophomina Phaseolina on the Proximate Composition of Jatropha Curcas Seed a Biofuel Plant. Journal of Biotechnology and Biomedicine 2: 001-008.
  25. Isalar OF, Ogbuji NG, Okungbowa FI, Ataga AE.(2021) Fungal Contaminants Associated with Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) Seeds. Journal of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology 4: 182-193.
  26. Miller J. D. Epidemiology of Fusarium ear diseases of cereals, Mycotoxin in Grain, Compounds other than Aflatoxin Miller J. D., Trenholm H. L. (eds) Eagan Press: St. Paul, MN. USA 1994 19 36
  27. Mirocha CJ, Wxie, Filho ER (2003). Chemistry and detection of Fusarium mycotoxin: Ink. J Leonard and Bushnell (ed). Fusarium head blight of wheat and barley. The American phytopathological society, St. Paul MN. 144 – 164
  28. Nakagawa, J. and Rosolem, C. A. (2011). O amendoim: tecnologia de produção. Botucatu: FEPAF.
  29. Nakrani B.R and Patel D.B (2018) Effect of different storage period of groundnut seeds of different varieties for biochemical changes due to Aspergillus flavus Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 7(4): 2572-2575
  30. Nweke, C. N.; Ibiam, O. F. A (2012) Studies on pre and post-harvest fungi associated with the soft rot of the fruit Anona muricata, and their effects on the nutrient content of the pulp. American Journal of food and Nutrition, 2(4) :78-85
  31. Oke O. L., (1967).  Chemical studies on some Nigerian pulses. W. Afr. J. Biol. Appl. Chem, 9, 52-55
  32. Onifade, A.K., Atum, H. N and Adebolu T.T (2004). Nutrient enrichment of Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L). Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences 10(1): 31-36
  33. Pillari RN, Ranganakulu G, Padma Raju A, Sankara Reddi GH (1984).Mineral composition of kernels and shells of four cultivars of groundnut. Andhra Pradesh J. (India), 31(4):351-352.
  34. Pixton S. W and Hill S. T (1967). Long-term storage of wheat, II. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 18: 84–98.
  35. Plata K., A. E. Rosato and G. Wegrzyn, (2009) “Staphylococus aureus as an Infectious Agent: Overview of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics of Its Pathogenicity,” Acta Biochimica Polonica, Vol. 56, No. 4, , pp. 597-612.
  36. Richards, G. M., and L. R. Beuchat. 2005b. Metabiotic associations of molds and Salmonella Poona on intact and wounded cantaloupe rind. International Journal of Food Microbiology 97 (3): 327–339.
  37. Rose U. Ebana, Comfort Aloysius Etok, and Uwem Okon Edet (2014) Nutritional and Microbial Analysis of Melon (Citrullus colocynthis Linn) Cake and its Components - A Traditional Snack in South - South Nigeria  International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies 8: (4) 1612-1617
  38. Schito G (2006) the importance of the development of antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. Clin Microbial Infect 12:3-8
  39. Steyn P.S. Mycotoxins, general view, chemistry and structure. Toxicol. Lett. 1995;82–83:843–851. doi: 10.1016/0378-4274(95)03525-7.
  40. Weihui Wu, Yongxin Jin, Fang Bai, Shouguang jin (2015). Molecular Medical Microbiology Second Edition 2:753-767
  41. Wood roof J.G., (1983) Production, Processing, Products. In: Composition and nutritive value of peanuts in peanuts: The AVI Publishing Company, Inc., Westport: Connecticut, 165-180,

Microorganisms that relate to Colocynthis citrullus (L.) seeds collected from three markets: Igbudu, Kpolokor and Ugborikoko within Uvwie Local Government Area in Delta State, were studied. The isolation of the fungi that were attached to the seeds was done using Standard Blotter and Agar Methods. Isolation of bacteria was done using Serial Dilution and Nutrient Agar Methods. Total Heterotropic Bacteria Counts (THBC) were determined at the dilution factors of 10-3 , 10-5 and 10-7 . Based on the morphological, cultural, colour of the individual colonies and number of viable count of bacteria, the 10-5 dilution factor was subjected to different biochemical tests and basic molecular techniques to identify the bacteria to the species level. Ten microorganisms were identified and isolated: Aspergillus flavus link Ex fr, Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht, Penicillium spp Thom, Rhizopus stolonifer Enhreb ex Link, Aspergillus niger Van Tiegh (fungi); Bacillus flexus, Bacillus infantis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas xiamenensis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (bacteria). The outcome showed that Melon seeds collected in the Igbudu market had the highest fungal load of (38%) and Kpolorkor and Ugborikoko had (31) and (31) respectively. The overall number of heterotrophic bacteria counted in each of the markets was maximum 16.2 x 104 cfu-g at Igbudu market, minimum 8.7 x 104 cfu-g at Kpolokor and Ugborikoko had the lowest 5.5 x 104 cfu-g. There is also a need to sensitize vendors on the need to maintain high standards of handling such seeds to avoid microbial contamination.

Keywords : Colocynthis citrullus, Microorganism, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Sequencing.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - May - 2026

SUBMIT YOUR PAPER CALL FOR PAPERS
Video Explanation for Published paper

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe