Postharvest fruit spoilage bacteria and fungi associated with date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L) from Saudi Arabia

Date fruits are consumed as traditional and ideal food in Saudi Arabia. It provides a wide range of essential nutrients and potential health benefits. Twelve (12) most consumed varieties of date fruits and their seeds available in the open markets of Riyadh, Medina and Kharj were screened for the presence of bacteria and fungi. Our study reveals that these fruits carry a heavy load of both fungal and bacterial pathogens. The variety Sukhari was found to be the most contaminant fruit with fungi while the bacterial contamination was highest in the variety Mabroon. The Genus Aspergillus was represented by seven species, amongst which Aspergillus niger was the most predominant fungi. Potential pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were isolated besides six species of the genus Bacillus. Fruits were more contaminated than their seeds.   Key words: Date fruits, seed borne, fruit spoilage, open markets.