This study intends to evaluate the influence of microflora in various types of banana fruits on moisture content and health risks related to bacterial growth at different fruit ages. Over four weeks, 120 banana fruit samples were gathered from three marketplaces in Kano State, Nigeria and dissected for pH, moisture content and microbiota. These three samples were then dissected to perform tests on pH, moisture content and microbiota. Some were subject to a moisture content that ranged from 77.22% to 80.29% and the samples' pH values ranged from 4.60 to 5.10. The fungal counts displayed a range spanning from 1.40×106 to 3.30×106 cfu ml-1, while the bacterial counts exhibited a broader spectrum, fluctuating between 3.80×106 and 7.30×106 cfu ml-1. The bacteria identified in the samples were Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus sp., Xanthomonas campestris, Corynebacterium xerosis, Pseudomonas sp., Erwinia carotovora, Dickeya parasidiaca and Ralstonia solanacearum. The fungal isolates included Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp., Alternaria sp., Mucor sp., Cordana johnsonii, Chrysonilia sp., Cladosporium sp., Doratomyces microspores, Rhizopus stolonifer and Colletotrichum musae. Fungi and bacteria detected in these samples prove their significant contribution causing the deterioration after harvest. This results in post-harvest diseases which consequently lead to the decline in the fruit's quantity and quality. Apart from the diminished commercial value of this kind of fruit, it can also pose chemical dregs, a health hazard to human beings. The knowledge gained from this research may facilitate the development of strategies for controlling banana fruit spoilage, resulting in improved product quality before consumption.
Bacteria, Banana, Deterioration, Fungi, Post-harvest, Spoilage