Voundi Olugu Steve
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
Voundi Olugu Steve has a total of 11 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Andreea Veronica Dediu Botezatu
Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, 111 Domneasca Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
1 shared publication - Anna Cazanevscaia Busuioc
(")Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Faculty of Science and Environment, Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment, Domneasca Street 111, 800201, Galati, Romania
1 shared publication - Jules Christophe Manz Koule
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
1 shared publication - Maria Daniela Ionica Mihaila
Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, 111 Domneasca Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
1 shared publication - Marie Amperes Boat Bedine
Department of Agriculture, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
1 shared publication - Modeste Lambert Sameza
Department of Biochemistry, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
- 17 May 2025
- Published by MDPI AG in Journal of Fungi
- Vol. 11 (5) , 385
Morphological, Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Characterization of Fungal Species Associated with Papaya Rot in Cameroon
Post-harvest decay of Carica papaya L. is the primary cause of deterioration in papaya quality and the low economic impact of this sector in Cameroon. Field surveys conducted by teams from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER) in Cameroon have primarily associated these decays with fungal attacks. However, to date, no methodological analysis has been conducted on the identification of these fungal agents. To reduce post-harvest losses, rapid detection of diseases is crucial for the application of effective management strategies. This study sought to identify the fungal agents associated with post-harvest decay of papaya cv Sunrise solo in Cameroon and to determine their physiological and biochemical growth characteristics. Isolation and pathogenicity tests were performed according to Koch’s postulate. Molecular identification of isolates was achieved by amplification and sequencing of the ITS1 and ITS4 regions. Phylogenetic analysis was based on the substitution models corresponding to each fungal genus determined by jModeltest, according to the Akaike information criterion (AIC). Fungal explants of each identified species were subjected to variations in temperature, pH, water activity, and NaCl concentration. The ability to secrete hydrolytic enzymes was determined on specific media such as skimmed milk agar for protease, peptone agar for lipase, and carboxymethylcellulose for cellulase. These experiments allowed the identification of three fungi responsible for papaya fruit decay, namely Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium equiseti, and Lasiodiplodia theobromae. All three pathogens had maximum mycelial growth at a temperature of 25 ± 2 °C, pH 6.5, NaCl concentration of 100 µM, and water activity (aw) equal to 0.98. The three fungal agents demonstrated a strong potential for secreting cellulases, lipases, and proteases, which they use as lytic enzymes to degrade papaya tissues. The relative enzymatic activity varied depending on the fungal pathogen as well as the type of enzyme secreted. This study is the first report of F. equiseti as a causal agent of papaya fruit decay in Cameroon.
- 17 May 2025
- Published by MDPI AG in Journal of Fungi
- Vol. 11 (5) , 385
Open AccessMorphological, Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Characterization of Fungal Species Associated with Papaya Rot in Cameroon
Post-harvest decay of Carica papaya L. is the primary cause of deterioration in papaya quality and the low economic impact of this sector in Cameroon. Field surveys conducted by teams from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER) in Cameroon have primarily associated these decays with fungal attacks. However, to date, no methodological analysis has been conducted on the identification of these fungal agents. To reduce post-harvest losses, rapid detection of diseases is crucial for the application of effective management strategies. This study sought to identify the fungal agents associated with post-harvest decay of papaya cv Sunrise solo in Cameroon and to determine their physiological and biochemical growth characteristics. Isolation and pathogenicity tests were performed according to Koch’s postulate. Molecular identification of isolates was achieved by amplification and sequencing of the ITS1 and ITS4 regions. Phylogenetic analysis was based on the substitution models corresponding to each fungal genus determined by jModeltest, according to the Akaike information criterion (AIC). Fungal explants of each identified species were subjected to variations in temperature, pH, water activity, and NaCl concentration. The ability to secrete hydrolytic enzymes was determined on specific media such as skimmed milk agar for protease, peptone agar for lipase, and carboxymethylcellulose for cellulase. These experiments allowed the identification of three fungi responsible for papaya fruit decay, namely Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium equiseti, and Lasiodiplodia theobromae. All three pathogens had maximum mycelial growth at a temperature of 25 ± 2 °C, pH 6.5, NaCl concentration of 100 µM, and water activity (aw) equal to 0.98. The three fungal agents demonstrated a strong potential for secreting cellulases, lipases, and proteases, which they use as lytic enzymes to degrade papaya tissues. The relative enzymatic activity varied depending on the fungal pathogen as well as the type of enzyme secreted. This study is the first report of F. equiseti as a causal agent of papaya fruit decay in Cameroon.