Comparative study of treatment by gamma radiation and electron beam in mycobiota and presence aflatoxins in brazil nuts.

Abstract

Despite the economic loss represented by the contamination by fungi and mycotoxins in Brazil nuts, this is an important forest product of Northern Brazil, studies are still incipient in regard to the establishment of mycoflora, the presence of aflatoxins and control methods by irradiation, especially the electrons beam. These facts motivated this present research, which aims to evaluate the effects of gamma radiation and the application of electron beam in samples of Brazil nut naturally contaminated. The specific objectives of the present study are: 1-To evaluate the mycobiota and aflatoxins in the samples contaminated with A. flavus, purchased from retail market of São Paulo; 2- To conduct sensory analysis of samples treated by the process of irradiation, 3- To compare the results obtained by the two treatments. The mycobiota of research will be done in duplicates and plated using the surface culture method in Dichloran 18% Glycerol Agar (DG18) and determination of aflatoxins by High Performance Liquid Chromatography.