ANTI- FUNGAL ACTIVITY OF NEEM (LEAVE AND BARK) AGAINST FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH SPOILAGE OF YAM (A STUDY OF KANO STATE POLYTECHNIC)

ABSTRACT This study investigated the antifungal activity of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves and bark extracts against fungal species responsible for yam spoilage. Spoilage of yam, a staple food crop, results in significant post-harvest losses, predominantly due to fungal pathogens. The research aimed to explore the efficacy of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of neem in inhibiting the growth of spoilage fungi. Phytochemical screening of neem extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, and steroids, which are known for their antimicrobial properties. Fungal isolates such as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus spp., Rhizopus, and Mucor were identified as common spoilage organisms in yam samples collected from Kano. Antifungal sensitivity tests demonstrated that both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of neem significantly inhibited fungal growth, with the bark extract showing the highest zone of inhibition, particularly against Aspergillus niger. The inhibitory effects were concentration-dependent, with maximum activity observed at 100 mg/ml. The study concludes that neem leaf and bark extracts possess strong antifungal properties and can serve as an eco-friendly, affordable alternative to synthetic fungicides for controlling yam rot during storage. This highlights the potential of neem as a sustainable botanical solution in post-harvest management of yams and encourages further exploration of medicinal plants in plant disease control strategies