Abstract

Aim: The study was aimed to eradicate fungal contaminants in edible melon seeds by the use of lipids (a simplistic human and eco-friendly approach) to inhibit microbial growth.

Materials and Methods: Nine (9) identified fungal pathogens of edible melon seeds were induced with Lipotoxins using Coconut oil, Palm oil and Peanut oil in an in-vitro experiment. The Lipotoxicity test conducted showed that all the fungal pathogens were susceptible at varying degrees to the presence of saturated and unsaturated lipids extant at different levels in the test oils.

Results: Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium spp, Penicillium spp, A. flavus, Mucor spp, Absidia corymbifera and Rhizopus oryzae were totally (100%) eliminated i.e. 0.00cm mycelia diameter produced in the in-vitro culture. Seven (7) out of nine (9) pathogens used for this experiment were killed and two (2) were biologically deactivated by the lipids.

Conclusion: It was concluded that use of lipids in the pre-treatment of melon seeds before storage ensure the availability of disease free melon seeds for human consumption, eradicate mycotoxin contamination leading to food poisoning and ensure safety of life.

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