AspergillusMolds and Aflatoxins in Pistachio Nuts in California

Abstract

A total of 14 Aspergillus species were isolated from the kernels of pistachio nuts, mainly early splits, from 11 commercial orchards in California in 1991 and 1992. Early splits are atypical nuts that have split hulls, exposing the kernel to invasion by molds and insects (normal nuts have intact hulls). A. niger was the only Aspergillus species that occurred frequently (in 30% of kernels from early splits). However, A. flavus orA. parasiticus (potential producers of the mycotoxins aflatoxins) were found in early splits from most orchards, and A. ochraceus or A. melleus (potential producers of the mycotoxins ochratoxins) were found in all ocrhards. Aflatoxins were detected in early splits from six of nine orchards in 1991 and five of eight orchards in 1992 [...]