The microorganisms, maintained on Nutrient Agar
(Merck, Darmstadt, Germany), were supplied by the
microbiologylaborato ryof the university. The bacteria
were selected because theyare frequentlyrepo rted in
food spoilage, while the selected fungi are commonly
encountered in onions and responsible for bulb diseases.
Two species of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC
11522) and Salmonella Enteritidis (ATCC 13076) and
three species of fungi, Aspergillus niger (ATCC 10575),
Penicillum cyclopium (ATTC 26165) and Fusarium
oxysporum (ATCC 11850), were used in this study.