Mycobiota and mycotoxins in Brazil nut samples from different states of the Brazilian Amazon region

The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of fungi and mycotoxins (aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid) in Brazil nut samples collected in different states of the Brazilian Amazon region: Acre, Amazonas, Amapa, and Para. A total of 200 husk samples and 200 almond samples were inoculated onto Aspergillus flavus-parasiticus agar for the detection of fungi. Mycotoxins were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The mycobiota comprised the following fungi, in decreasing order of frequency: almonds - Phialemonium spp. (54%), Penicillium spp. (16%), Fusarium spp. (13%), Phaeoacremonium spp. (11%), and Aspergillus spp. (4%), husks - Phialemonium spp. (62%), Phaeoacremonium spp. (11%), Penicillium spp. (10%), Fusarium spp. (9%), and Aspergillus spp. A polyphasic approach was used for identification of Aspergillus species. Aflatoxins were detected in 22 (11%) of the 200 almond samples, with 21 samples presenting aflatoxin B-1 levels above 8 mu g/kg, the limit established by the European Commission for Brazil nuts for further processing. Nineteen (9.5%) of the 200 husk samples contained aflatoxins, but at levels lower than those seen in almonds. Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) was detected in 44 (22%) almond samples, with levels ranging from 98.65 to 1612 mu g/kg. Aspergillus nomius and A. flavus were the most frequent Aspergillus species. The presence of fungi does not necessarily imply mycotoxin contamination, but almonds of the Brazil nut seem to be a good substrate for fungal growth. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq

Preventing Indoor Bioaerosol Contamination in Food Processing Environments and HVAC Systems: Assessment of Particle Deposition for Hygienic Design Purposes

International audienceThis chapter deals with airborne particle contamination in foodprocessing indoor environments and particularly within heating, ventilation, andair-conditioning (HVAC) systems in food factory buildings. The major types ofbioaerosols encountered in the food manufacturing sector as well as the bioaerosolsampling methods are firstly introduced. Secondly, some features of air handlingsystems such as zoning, cleanrooms, localized air handling systems, and HVACsystems are presented. Besides, the study of particle deposition to duct surfacesfrom turbulent airflow is reviewed and discussed. Substantially, an original workcombining industrial diagnosis and experiments at factory scale with experiments atlaboratory scale is then proposed through the case study of the CleanAirNet project.The CleanAirNet project (Hygienic Design of Ventilation Duct Networks in FoodFactories) aimed at producing new knowledge, models, and techniques to helpcontrol the safety of the food products through a better control of aerosol particletransport and deposition in the ventilation networks of the food industry. Thedifferent work packages of the project are presented relatively to the state-of-the-art particle deposition on duct surfaces. The methodological findings and relevantapplications (e.g., a newly patented particle trapping device for air handlingsystems) for food industries are exposed. The CleanAirNet project was supportedby the French National Research Agency (ANR) from 2008 to 2012; the project consortium was conducted by seven institutes and universities, as well as threeindustries from the food sector