Mycoflora and mycotoxins in kolanuts during storage

Abstract

The mycoflora, levels of afllatoxins and the presence of ochratoxin A and zearalenone in nuts of Cola acuminata and C. nitida were determined immediately after curing and after 3, 6 and 9 months of storage in leaf-lined baskets. Five field fungi and 11 storage fungi were isolated. Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium were the predominant genera. None of the target toxins was detected immediately after curing. Increasing quantities (5 to 160 ppb) of each of the aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 were recorded as from the 3rd month while zearalenone and ochratoxin A were detected only after the 6th and 9th month, respectively.


Key words: Kolaunts, mycoflora, mycotoxins, storage.


African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.2(10) 2003: 365-368