Production of ochratoxin A by Aspergillus carbonarius on coffee cherries.
Robusta coffee cherries collected before and during sun drying from two coffee farms in Thailand were examined for moulds producing ochratoxin A (OA). Aspergillus ochraceus was only detected in one sample, whereas Aspergillus carbonarius was isolated from 7 out of 14 samples. On gamma-irradiated coffee cherries, each of the six tested A. carbonarius strains produced OA. More than 4800 microg kg(-1) of toxin were detected under optimal conditions (25 degrees C, a(w) 0.99). OA production was strongly reduced (230 microg kg(-1)) at an a(w) of 0.94.
Joosten
H M
HM
Nestle Research Center, Nestec Ltd., Lausanne, Switzerland. han.joosten@rdls.nestle.com
Goetz
J
J
Pittet
A
A
Schellenberg
M
M
Bucheli
P
P
D001230:Aspergillus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D002273:Carcinogens; D003069:Coffee / Q000382:microbiology*; D005506:Food Contamination; D005516:Food Microbiology; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D002273:Carcinogens; D003069:Coffee; D009793:Ochratoxins; C025589:ochratoxin A