Preliminary identification of aflatoxin-producing A. flavus Link and A. parasiticus Speare in samples of five varieties of dried chili peppers marketed in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico
Vorläufige Identifizierung der Aflatoxin produzierenden A. flavus Link und A. parasiticus Speare in Proben von fünf Sorten getrockneter Chilischoten, die in der Stadt Oaxaca, Mexiko, vermarktet werden
Dr. Marco Antonio Sánchez-Medina
Graduate Studies and Research Division
Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto
Tecnológico
de Oaxaca
Av. Ing. Víctor Bravo Ahuja No. 125
Esq. Calzada Tecnológico. C. P. 68030
Mexico
mmedinaito@gmail.com
Chili is considered one of the most important vegetables worldwide, because of its high profitability and its versatility that allows different foods to be made. During their growth, storage, and commercialization, they can be contaminated mainly by fungi that can be harmful mycotoxin producers for those who consume them. The objective of this work was to identify the fungi Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus in fourteen samples of dried chili peppers Capsicum annuum (“guajillo”, “ancho”, and “de árbol”) that were acquired in the main markets in Oaxaca city. To the samples, the moisture percentage was determined in addition to the mold and yeast count; as a result, the identification of the genera of the isolated strains was obtained, estimating the aflatoxin production of the identified Aspergillus strains. The fourteen shows exceeded humidity limits and had high fungal contamination, of which six genera were identified, finding a strain of Aspergillus flavus and one of A. parasiticus. In the aflatoxin production test, both strains showed fluorescence in the coco-agar medium, indicating that they are aflatoxin producers.