The effects of different packaging materials, temperatures and water activities to control aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus in stored peanuts

• Published in: Journal of food science and technology 2019-06, Vol.56 (6), p.3145-3150
• Main Authors: John, Joshua Mark, Jinap, Selamat, Hanani, Zainal Abedin Nur, Nor-Khaizura, Mahmud Ab Rashid, Samsudin, Nik Iskandar Putra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aflatoxin B1; Aflatoxins; Aluminum; Aspergillus; Aspergillus flavus; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Contamination; Fluorescence; Food Science; High performance liquid chromatography; Kernels; Legumes; Liquid chromatography; Low density polyethylenes; Metabolites; Nutrition; Nuts; Packaging; Packaging materials; Peanuts; Polyethylene; Polypropylene; Preservatives; Secondary metabolites; Short Communication
• ISSN: 0022-1155; 0975-8402
• DOI: 10.1007/s13197-019-03652-6

Aflatoxins (AFs) are secondary metabolites produced by aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus , the most toxic being aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ). The purpose of the present work was to investigate the effects of industrial-grade packaging materials (low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene-laminated aluminium); temperatures (25 °C, 30 °C); and water activities (0.74 a w , 0.85 a w ) on AFB 1 production by A. flavus and A. parasiticus in stored peanut kernels. Commercially-obtained samples were segregated into packaging materials, separately inoculated with the aflatoxigenic Aspergillus spp., and stored for 1 month under various °C +  a w regimes. AFB 1 production was quantified by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector (HPLC–FLD). For A. flavus in PELA, no AFB 1 was detected (100% reduction) at 25 °C for both a w tested. For A. parasiticus in PELA, no AFB 1 was detected at 25 °C (0.85 a w ) and 30 °C (0.74 a w ). Highest concentration of AFB 1 was detected in LDPE for both A. flavus (46.41 ppb) and A. parasiticus (414.42 ppb), followed by PP ( A. flavus 24.29 ppb; A. parasiticus 386.73 ppb). In conclusion, storing peanut kernels in PELA in a dry place at room temperature has been demonstrated as an adequate and inexpensive method in inhibiting growth of Aspergillus spp. and lowering AFB 1 contamination in peanuts.