Anti‐sporulation effectiveness of leaf extracts of three <i>Prosopis</i> species on spoiling fungi collected from fresh produce in the Qatari market

Abstract Fruit and vegetable post‐harvest infections are mainly caused by mycotoxin producing fungi. Post‐harvest diseases causing food losses that lead to global economical problems. In this study, fresh samples of fruits vegetables were collected from the local market for shelf‐life evaluation identification spoiling fungal types. Extracts three locally available Prosopis species leaves evaluated their antifungal activity against sporulation isolated Scanning electron microscopy was also used evaluate spores mycelium degenerative changes upon exposure extracts. Out 156 tested, 88.5% showed growth during 17 days experiment. A total 143 fungi subjected microscopic identification. The type most encountered Aspergillus (30.1%). spoilage rate significantly affected produce ( p ≤ 0.05), while collecting country origin did not show a significant effect ≥ 0.05). Around 69.5% had moderate short shelf‐life. Ethanolic aqueous extracts juliflora , cineraria farcta strong effectiveness when percent germinated calculated with alteration in shapes under SEM. effective extract ethanolic P. . spp. variation effectiveness. future combination crude could be as natural bio‐controller replace commonly chemical anti‐fungal agents.