The Isolation and Identification of Rhizopus from a Decaying Bread were conducted.  The black mould used in the practical was collected from bread.  It is allowed to stay in moist environment or at room temperature for 2 to 3 days.  The mould is then inoculated in the nutrient egar (N.A.) incubated and was isolated and view under the microscope for cultural characteristics.

In the experiment a mass of soft, closely woven white, silky threads was observed.  In the microscope examination, non-deptate masses of round black spores, rhizoid.  This characterized by Rhizopus SP.

In conclusion, since foodstuff from which the mould is isolated is bread, Rhizopus SP which is more prominent in bread than in any other foodstuff.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER   ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Aim and Objectives

1.2 Hypothesis

1.3 Statement of Problem

1.4 Significance of Study

1.5 Limitation of the Study

CHAPTER   TWO

2.1 Composition of Bread and It’s Requirement

2.2 Source of Contamination

2.3 Rhizopus as a spoilage Organism

2.4 Physiological Characteristic of Rhizopus

2.5 Myeotoxins

2.6 Preservative

CHAPTER   THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Sample Collection

3.2 Direction for Method of preparation of the Medium

3.3 Isolation Method

3.4 Method of Identification

CHAPTER   FOUR

GENERAL MORPHOLOGY

4.1 general Morphology of Rhizopus

4.2 Mode of Life

4.3 Reproduction of Rhizopus

CHPATER   FIVE

RESULT

5.1 Table I

5.2 Table II

CHAPTER   SIX

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

6.1 Conclusion

6.2 Recommendation

REFERENCES

CHAPTER   ONE

Rhizopus nigricans belongs to a group of fungi known as the “black moulds”.  It is also known commonly as the “read mould” because if grows freely on moist, state bread.  It appears as a delicate black mass.  It is a common mould, which is widespread in occurrence.  Rhizopus forms a mass of soft, closely woven white silky threads.  This mass, which is known as a mycelium is the vegetative part of the Fungs.  Each silky thread like structure is a hypha.  The ‘mycelium grows not only on the surface of the bread but into it as well.   The bread is known as the substrate.  

The mycelium consists of three sorts of hyphae.  These three sorts of hyphae as stolons which grow horizontally on the substrate (bread), rhizoid or root like hyphae which arise at points where the stolons come into contact with the substrate and sport-angiophores.  The rhizoids are much branched hyphae which penetrate into the substrate.  They are able to digest and absorb organic food.  The sporangiophores are erect unbranched hyphae arising from the stolons at the same points where rhizoids are formal.  

They grow vertically upwards and give rise to the reproductive structures called sporangia.  (Sargini et al, 1979).

The common bread mould (Rhizopus) finds new bakery items by means of air-born spores.  Once the baked good is invaded, it won’t be long before black sporangia full of spores are formed.  Rhizopus stolonifera (black mould) causes the black bread mould that forms cottony masses on the surface of moist bread exposed to the air.  Rhizopus is aerobic and grow easily on bread since the slight acidity of bread is conductive to their development it can also grow on solid substance such as cloth, vegetables, leather, paper, food, and many other materials when they are neglected in cupboard, boxes or other damp places, especially during the wet seasons.

Effect of contaminated bread in the society can lead to an epidemic of gastro-intestine disorder, where by that particular environment that consumed the contaminated bread becomes affected.  As a result of this, a lot of consideration should be given to breads that are served into the community to be sold, and this is done by the standardized system called “Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point” (HCCP).  

This project work is based on the Isolation and Identification of the fungal organism responsible for the spoilage of Bread.  It is also to determine the rate of growth of the Organisms and to know its ability to grow on inhibitory media.  To examine the species of fungi that infests breads at room temperature.

Ho - Fungi (filamentous) and yeast has no affect on bread.

Hi - Filamentous fungi and Rhizopus are responsible for spoilage of 

bread when infested.

1.3 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Problem encountered by the society as a result of the consumption of contaminated bread ingested with fungal organisms at circulation in the market places are related health wise.  Health wise in the sense that when contaminated breads are eaten, it leads to gastrointestinal disorder which is as a result of ingestion of toxins deposited by some fungal organism on the bread.  This can lead to an epidemic, when a batch of contaminated bread is in circulation and is being purchased and consumed by various individual.

The justification of this research study is to ensure that well prepared baked bread devoid of fungal growth is being circulated or sold.  It is also carried out on the basis of selling well-baked breads, uncontaminated so as to avoid any sort of food poising associated with the ingestion of bread.

This research work will be limited to the isolation and identification of fungal organism present i.e. (Rhizopus nigrican), incubated under room temperature.  This is also limited or restricted on the examination of the end product, which is the baked bread and not its raw material which is the flours.  Practical works won’t be carried out on the pathogenicity of species identified, on.  This could be another area of study for interested microbiologists.