Authors:
Richard MA Dieme, Papa Madiallacke Diedhiou*, Nalla Mbaye, Kakhila D Sarr and Ibrahima Diedhiou ,Senegal
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Abstract:
Detarium senegalense is a forest tree species of the Sudano-Guinean ecology. It is important in
fruit production as a source of income diversification for rural populations in Senegal. The fruits
of D. senegalense are highly appreciated among others for their high vitamin C content and
consumed mainly after being processed into juice. However, fruit rot after harvest cause huge
losses in the market. A study was therefore carried out to assess fruit losses based on the origin
and maturity stage at harvest. The study intended also to identify the causing agents of fruit rot as
well as an appropriate method to store ditax fruits. The results showed that fruits from the
Casamance presented a higher percentage of healthy ditax compared to those from the Gambia
and Thiès. The incidence of fruit rot was lower on mature but not ripe fruits compared to ripe
fruits. Fruit rotting was due to diversity of fungi and in a few cases to bacteria. Fruits were
primarily infested (> 50%) by Aspergillus niger and A. flavus, A. ochraceus and Botryodiplodia
sp either alone or in association with A. niger. The test of different storage methods showed that
drying is an effective way to reduce greatly the proportion of rotten fruit |
