The biodiversity of Aspergillus section Flavi in brazil nuts: From rainforest to consumer
Author:
Calderari TO, Iamanaka BT, Frisvad JC, Pitt JI, Sartori D, Pereira JL, Fungaro MH, Taniwaki MH
Date: 4 February 2013
Abstract:
A total of 288 brazil nut samples (173 kernel and 115 shell) from the Amazon rainforest region and SàƒÂ£o Paulo State, Brazil were collected at different stages of brazil nut production. Samples were analysed for: percentages of aflatoxigenic fungal species and potential for aflatoxin production and presence of aflatoxins. Aspergillusnomius was the most common species found (1235 isolates) which amounted to 30% of the total species with potential to produce aflatoxins. This species is of concern since 100% of all isolates produced aflatoxins B(1), B(2), G(1) and G(2). Aspergillusflavus was almost equally common (1212 isolates) although only 46% produced aflatoxins under laboratory conditions, and only aflatoxins B(1) and B(2). Low number of other species with the potential to produce aflatoxins was isolated: Aspergillusarachidicola and Aspergillus bombycis produced B and G aflatoxins whilst Aspergilluspseudotamarii produced only aflatoxin B(1). The total aflatoxin levels found in samples taken from the rainforests was 0.7àŽÂ¼g/kg, from processing plants before and after sorting 8.0 and 0.1àŽÂ¼g/kg respectively, from street markets in the Amazon region 6.3àŽÂ¼g/kg and from supermarkets in SàƒÂ£o Paulo State 0.2àŽÂ¼g/kg. Processing, which included manual or mechanical sorting and drying at 60à‚°C for 30 to 36h, eliminated on average more than 98% of total aflatoxins. These results showed that sorting is a very effective way to decrease aflatoxin content in brazil nuts.Copyright à‚© 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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