Microbiological quality, fungal diversity and aflatoxins contamination in carob flour (Prosopis flexuosa).

Carob flour is obtained from pods of some species of Prosopis, leguminous trees that abound in many desert habitats worldwide. Currently, this product is available in healthy food stores in several countries, including Argentina, as a nontraditional meal of growing interest with multiple applications for the preparation of puddings, biscuits and snacks, among others. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the microbial quality of carob flour on basis of the presence of deteriorative and pathogenic microorganisms.

Microbiological quality of Argentinian paprika.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of paprika produced in Catamarca, Argentina. Microbiological analyses were carried out for the enumeration of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliforms, yeasts and molds, and the detection of Salmonella in samples obtained from different local producers during three consecutive years. The mycobiota was identified paying special attention to the mycotoxigenic molds.

Ochratoxin A production by a mixed inoculum of Aspergillus carbonarius at different conditions of water activity and temperature.

Growth rate, lag phase and OTA production of a mixed inoculum of four Aspergillus carbonarius strains were compared to the behaviour of the single strains at 30 degrees C on Czapek Yeast Extract Agar. Significant differences between radial growth rates and lag phases of the different isolates were observed; however, no significant differences between growth rates of each strain and the mixed inoculum were detected. When the four strains were inoculated simultaneously, the lag phase was the same than the higher value obtained for individual strains, suggesting mycelial interactions between the A.

Inhibition of growth and ochratoxin A biosynthesis in Aspergillus carbonarius by flavonoid and nonflavonoid compounds.

The effect of naturally occurring phenolic compounds on Aspergillus carbonarius growth and ochratoxin A (OTA) production was studied. Caffeic acid and the flavonoids, rutin and quercetin, were added to Czapek Yeast Extract agar at concentrations ranging between 50 and 500 mg/l. All phenolic compounds had a significant influence on growth rate and lag phase of A.

Effect of processing for saponin removal on fungal contamination of quinoa seeds (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.).

Incidence of fungal contamination of quinoa seeds from three locations (Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia; Salta and Tucumán provinces, Argentina) was analyzed in samples with and without treatment to remove saponins (wet method). In processed samples, the percentage of infection was reduced. Distribution of the different fungal genera was not homogeneous in the three locations (p<0.

Two novel aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus species from Argentinean peanuts.

Two novel species from Aspergillus section Flavi from different species of Arachis (peanuts) in Argentina are described as Aspergillus arachidicola sp. nov. and Aspergillus minisclerotigenes sp.

[Putative mycotoxin-producing fungi isolated from alpataco (Prosopis flexuosa) fruits].

Fungi contaminant of alpataco (Prosopis flexuosa) fruits from La Pampa province (Argentina) were identified. Alternaria alternata and Sphaeropsis sapinea were the dominant species. Phoma sp.

Analysis of population structure of Aspergillus flavus from peanut based on vegetative compatibility, geographic origin, mycotoxin and sclerotia production.

Isolates of Aspergillus flavus obtained from a new growing peanut region in Argentina (Formosa province) were examined for aflatoxin types B and G and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) production. Sclerotia diameters and the number of sclerotia produced per square centimetre were also determined for each isolate. They were tested by vegetative compatibility group analysis to investigate their genetic relatedness and correlate the results with vegetative compatibility groups previously described from the major peanut-growing area (Córdoba province) in our country.

Variability of aflatoxin and cyclopiazonic acid production by Aspergillus section flavi from different substrates in Argentina.

Aspergillus section flavi strains isolated from peanuts, wheat and soybean grown in Argentina were screened for aflatoxins (type B and G) and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) production. Aspergillus flavus was the predominant species in all substrates, although there was almost the same proportion of A. flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus in peanuts.

Aflatoxin Production in Soybean Varieties Grown in Argentina.

Natural occurrence of aflatoxin contamination on soybeans was investigated. Thirty four samples from the 1986 crop (5.8% positive samples) and 60 samples harvested in 1987 (11.