Biodegradation Potential of Indigenous Fungal Isolates on Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Waste: A Case Study of Dumpsites in Bwari, Abuja.

Abstract

Introduction: Wastes are unwanted by-products from daily activities like consumption and production, which are no longer useful. Improper disposal, especially open dumping, poses immediate health risks and long-term environmental threats, including greenhouse gas emissions. The accumulation of organic waste like potato peels in dumpsites leads to foul odors and the spread of pathogens . This study aimed to screen the biodegradation potential of fungal species isolated from dumpsites at Bwari, Abuja, Nigeria, for the management of potato waste. Methods A total of six soil samples were collected from three major dumpsites within the Bwari Area Council, FCT, Abuja. Standard microbiological techniques, including serial dilution and plating on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), were used to isolate and enumerate fungi. Isolates were characterized and identified based on macroscopic and microscopic morphological features. The biodegradation potential of the identified fungal isolates was assessed using a 7-day weight loss experiment in a minimal salt broth medium, and the percentage weight loss was calculated. Results The physicochemical analysis of the soil revealed a temperature range of 28–31°C and pH values ranging from 7.19 to 9.12. The heterotrophic fungal count ranged from 5 × 10⁻⁴ to 12 × 10⁻⁴ CFU/g. Morphological characterization led to the identification of three dominant genera: Aspergillus flavus (40.00% prevalence), Aspergillus niger (33.33%), and Penicillium sp. (26.67%). The single isolate with the highest degradation efficiency was A. niger (82.0% weight loss), followed by A. flavus (75.0%) and Penicillium sp. (70.0%). Notably, the consortium of A. flavus and A. niger achieved the highest overall degradation of 90.0%, demonstrating a synergistic effect. A drop in pH (from alkaline to near-neutral/acidic) was observed in all treatment setups, indicating microbial metabolic activity. Conclusion This study demonstrates that indigenous fungal species, particularly Aspergillus niger and its consortium with Aspergillus flavus, possess significant potential for the rapid biodegradation of potato waste. These findings support the feasibility of utilizing native fungal strains as low-cost, eco-friendly agents for organic waste management, contributing to pollution reduction in urban and academic settings.