Antifungal activity of bacteria isolated from palm wine against postharvest rot fungi on yam (Dioscorea spp.)

One hundred twenty bacteria isolated from palm wine sample extracted from palm oil trees (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) were tested against Penicillium oxalicum Currie and Thom and Aspergillus niger van Tiegh, yam (Dioscorea spp.) postharvest rots fungi. Inhibitory activity against at least one fungus was detected for 14 bacteria, in vitro and in vivo on yam discs. Some of the bacteria liquid culture filtrates showed and effectiveness on the two fungi in vitro. However, any filtrate was effective on protecting yam against A. niger growth and also against its spore germination. The effectiveness of the bacteria culture filtrates was influenced by the heat and the high dilution fold up to 1000.