The objective following the present study was to investigate the effect of ultra violet irradiation on aflatoxins in ground and tree nuts. Samples of nuts were randomly selected from the retail market of Faisalabad. The moisture contents of the nuts were artificially increased to 10±3% and 16±3% to facilitate the mold growth. The samples were stored at a room temperature of 25-30 °C for 12 weeks. The stored nut samples were checked after a storage period of 12 weeks, the fungi were found growing in all nuts along with considerable aflatoxins production. Aflatoxins and mold contaminated samples were exposed to UVC radiations of 265nm for 15, 30 and 45 minutes. The fungicidal activity of UVC radiation was more pronounced in nuts adjusted at high moisture level. The order of sensitivity of nuts for fungal disinfection by UVC irradiation was walnut> almond= pistachio> peanuts. There was a proportional decrease in aflatoxins level with increase in exposure time. Complete elimination of aflatoxin G2 was achieved in all nut samples after 15min. exposure, while aflatoxin G1 showed 100% degradation only in almond and pistachio. After 45 min. exposure to UVC, aflatoxin B1 showed maximum reduction of 96.5% in almond and pistachio. The degradation of total aflatoxins as well as that of aflatoxin B1 by UVC irradiation was found to follow first order kinetics.
FARHAT JUBEEN, IJAZ AHMED BHATTI, MUHAMMAD ZARGHAM KHAN, ZAHOOR-UL-HASSAN AND MUHAMMAD SHAHID
You can use below filter to find your desired issue