Occurrence ofpenicillium expansum and patulin in apples as raw materials for processing of foods — case study

Abstract

The contamination of apples Gloster variety withPenicillium expansum was investigated in the case study. The apples serve as a raw material in thefood industry for processing of baby foodstuffs and other apple products. The core of 3 - 5 % apple samples has been contaminated with spores and mycelium of untested microfungi. The surface tissue of stored apples has not been damaged. Penicillium expansum was isolated in all tested apple samples. Patulin has been found at levels tens to hundreds of üg/kg in tested apple samples. Patulin was primarily associated with core and areas of decomposing tissue and can penetrate up to approx. 1 cm of the surrounding healthy tissue. The production of patulin after the experimental contamination of apples was tested after 14 days of storage (21 °C, dark). The maximum value of patulin was found 110 mg/kg of rotten part of apple sample.