Development of Mycological Medium using Tomato Juice Extract as Principal Base
Authors: Okoye Rosemary , Abba Oluchukwu 
Published: August 2024

Study’s Novelty/Excerpt

This study introduces an approach to mycological media development by utilizing Tomato Juice Extract (TJA) as a primary base, highlighting its rich nutrient profile and potential for sustainable, cost-effective fungal cultivation.
The research uniquely demonstrates the influence of various TJA concentrations on fungal growth, revealing selective preferences for certain fungi and emphasizing the importance of medium optimization.
These findings provide significant insights into the potential of natural sources in microbiological practices, laying the groundwork for future studies to further optimize TJA and explore its practical applications in mycology.

Full Abstract
This project focused on developing mycological media using the primary base of Tomato Juice Extract (TJA). Tomatoes contain a rich mix of vitamins, minerals, and organic acids, creating an ideal environment for cultivating various fungi. Various concentrations of Tomato Juice Agar (TJA) and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) were prepared (200 mL, 300 mL, and 400 mL). TJA was created by combining tomato filtrate with different sugar concentrations (10g, 15g, 20g), keeping agar agar powder constant at 20 g. Samples of soil from refuse dumpsite and spoiled bread were inoculated onto the prepared TJA and PDA (control). The total fungal counts, isolation, and identification were determined using PDA and TJA. Microscopic analyses, serial dilutions, and colony characterization provided a detailed assessment. TJA exhibited total fungal counts of 2-3 propagules/g for refuse dumpsite soil and 3-4 propagules/ml for spoiled bread. PDA yielded counts of 3-6 propagules/g for refuse dumpsite soil and 3-5 propagules/ml for spoiled bread. Various fungi, including Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium. digitanum, and Fusarium oxyporum were identified. TJA showed selective preferences for Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus stolonifer. This study successfully developed mycological media with tomato juice extract, yielding promising fungal cultivation results. Different TJA concentrations influenced fungal growth, thus emphasizing the importance of selecting the appropriate medium. The absence of growth of some of the test fungal isolates on TJA and exclusive isolation of Fusarium oxysporum on PDA shows medium-specific preferences. Tomato juice extract aligns with sustainability and cost-effectiveness, offering an alternative to traditional components. Valuable insights into concentration-dependent fungal growth guide future experimentation and optimization. Tomato juice extract as a mycological medium base introduces a sustainable alternative with unique nutritional profiles. Concentration-dependent fungal preferences revealed the significance of medium optimization. These findings encourage the use of natural sources for more sustainable microbiological practices. While laying innovative mycological media groundwork, further research is needed to optimize tomato juice agar fully. Mycological media development with tomato juice extract offers practical benefits in cost-effectiveness and sustainability.