PJB-2022-95
MYCOBIOTA OF SELECT TREE NUTS AND DRIED FRUITS FROM DIFFERENT REGIONS OF MEXICO
DAVID GONZÃLEZ-ALBARRÃN
Abstract
Tree nuts and dried fruits are highly profitable commodities that are vulnerable to contamination by spoilage and pathogenic molds such as Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., and Rhizopus spp. In Mexico, contamination of dried fruits and nuts, mainly those sold in bulk to non-corporate consumers, is poorly studied and loosely regulated. In this context, peanuts, pecans, squash seeds, and walnuts were investigated. The sampled dried fruits’ moisture content and water activity were measured, and mold species were isolated and identified. Also, the total yeast and mold count was determined. Results indicated that only a few samples, mostly of squash seeds, had yeast and mold counts exceeding those allowed by Mexican regulations. On the other hand, many samples were contaminated with known toxigenic mold species such as Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium spp., and Fusarium spp., as well as with spoilage molds. While the contamination levels are not of immediate concern, care should be taken to investigate further and regulate the bulk sale of nuts, as there is a potential risk if storage conditions are not adequate.
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