The influence of parameters affecting Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin production during storage of pistachios.
2013
Moradi Qahdarijani, Mohammad | Mehr Nezhad, Mohammad Reza | Hokm Abadi, Hossein | Basirat, Mahdi | Alavi, Hossein | Mirzaei, Reza | Faraj Pur, Abbas | Masumi, Heydar
Storage condition is one of the most critical steps in the pistachio production chains. Aflatoxin contamination may occur or increase during improper storage conditions on harvested pistachios. Kernel moisture, water activity, relative humidity and fungal and pest infection were determined in 47 stores in Kerman, Sirjan, Zarand and Rafsanjan regions at three-month intervals. Overall, there were no differences between stores and most of them had good ventilation systems. The storage period ranged from 1 to 12 months. Bird and rodent damages were rarely observed, and frequency of Indian meal moth and Carob moth was found less than 2%. The levels of water activity and kernel moisture measured during this study ranged from 0.12 to 0.46 and 3.1 to 5.3(%), respectively. In most stores, the average of relative humidity ranged from 24 to 26% with a minimum and maximum 13.7 and 36.5, respectively. On the other hand, it observed low levels of kernel moisture and water activity remained at a constant level for most sampling times. These results indicated that equilibrium moisture content cannot favor Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin production. The observation also showed that the frequency of Aspergillus contamination was varied from undetectable to 1%. In conclusion, the warehouse situation is not somehow, which increases or creates suitable conditions for fungal growth and aflatoxin production in Kerman province. However, it is important to control pests, which seems to be in good control.
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