Formulation of Fungal Media from Local Plant Materials

Abstract

A culture medium is a liquid or gelled substance that promotes microorganism growth in the laboratory. This study is aimed at exploring various local plant sources for fungal media formulation. The local plant materials used in this study were grains of Zea mays, seeds of Glycine max, and boiled and peeled Dioscorea dumetorum tubers. These plant materials were dried separately in the oven at 60°C, pulverized individually, measured in different proportions, and poured separately into conical flasks containing distilled water at various proportions to evaluate the potential of the fungal media formulation. The best formulation was derived from Z. mays (5 g), D. dumetorum (2.5 g), and G. max (2 g) in 50 ml of sterile distilled water (M5Y2.5S2). It was then autoclaved at 121°C for 15 mins at 15 psi and dispensed in various Petri dishes. Media characteristics such as gelling ability and consistency were compared with Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) as the standard media. Isolates of Aspergillus niger and Penicillium expansum were used; these were derived from deteriorating yam and bread and cultured on the media. The colony diameter, aerial growth, and sporulation of the test fungal isolates were ascertained. When compared to SDA ( $8.92\pm 0.10$ ), the colony diameter of A. niger on M5Y2.5S2 ( $8.90\pm 0.10$ ) did not differ significantly ( $P=0.05$ ). This is also applicable in the case of P. expansum on M5Y2.5S2 ( $8.93\pm 0.06$ ) when compared with SDA ( $8.92\pm 0.07$ ). There was a significant difference ( $P=0.05$ ) in the sporulation of A. niger (M5Y2.5S2 $1.76\pm 0.06$ ) when compared with SDA ( $1.70\pm 0.06$ ). This is also applicable in the case of P. expansum (M5Y2.5S2 $2.73\pm 0.06$ ) when compared with SDA ( $2.70\pm 0.0$ ). The fungal isolates showed luxuriant growth in both media. M5Y2.5S2 performed favorably in comparison to SDA in relation to all the parameters studied. M5Y2.5S2 is recommended for use in fungal culture and will save funds used for the importation of media.