The spoilage of kernels (seeds) of two Irvingia species i.e. I. gabonensis and I. wombulu was investigated in Benin City, Nigeria. Samples obtained from nine markets in three local government areas (Oredo,lkpoba-Okha and Egor) within the Benin Metropolis, were brought to the laboratory for pathological studies and analysis of their nutritive content. Seven fungal isolates were associated with the spoilt kernels. These were Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium spp.,Mucor sp., Asperosporium sp. and Pestalotia sp.. A. fumigatus was found to be the most predominant isolate and also the pathogen of spoilage. The result of proximate analysis of nutritive components (%) of healthy and spoilt kernels showed significant differences in the ash and organic matter content of I.gabonensis and ash content of I. wombulu. The ash and crude protein content of I.wombulu (2.7356, 9.6122) were higher than those of I.gabonensis (2.2156, 8.8867) while I.gabonensis had a higher fat value (40.9710). However the carbohydrate content of healthy I.wombulu (41.0250) kernel was significantly higher than that of I.gabonensis (39.2167). Irrespective of the market source, there were no significant differences in nutritive values of healthy and spoilt kernels of both species.
