Bioanalytical Studies on Fungal Pathogens Originating from Spoiled Alpan Banana (Musa Paradisiaca)

Abstract

Background: The entire Alpan banana plant can be utilized medicinally. Since the banana's rapid global expansion, several non-wood plant fibers have been used as substitutes for wood pulp in the manufacture of pulp, paper, and paper board. Currently, modest commercial pulping operations use a range of non-wood fibers, including bamboo, jute, straw, rice, and abaca. The increasing number of banana varieties is a result of the everyday developments that are being achieved in several fields. The Materials and Methods: The purpose of this current study is to check fungal pathogenicity in infected Alpan banana fruit, molecular characterization of the pathogenic species and evaluation of biochemical activities in banana fruit. The studied biochemical activities include protein content, ascorbic acid, total sugar and total phenolic compounds. Ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO) and Phenol Oxidase (PPO) are also studied in the selected banana variety. Result: The fungal pathogenicity assay showed incidence of Aspergillus species on Alpan banana fruit. A very high prevalence of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus were observed in examined fruits. Species confirmation were based on molecular characterization method and its subsequent bioinformatic analysis. Proteins, total phenolic content and Keto acid were observed to be 223.01, 47.32 and 964.0 mg/g respectively whereas PPO and AAO showed 0.800 and 0.175 U/ml content in the fruit sample. Conclusion:The study concludes the prevalence of fungal infection in ripe bananas by Aspergillus species and changes observed at their biochemical constituents level post fungal infestation