National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS)
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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
The present study investigated the possible presence of aflatoxins in six raw-consumed nuts and dry fruits—almond, broken cashew, walnut, groundnut, pistachio, and raisin—collected from local markets in Chennai. Samples were analysed for fungal contamination and aflatoxins using fungal culture, TLC, and UV-spectrophotometric methods. No fungal growth was initially observed on the serially diluted SDA plates; however, fungal growth was detected in the 10⁻¹ dilution tubes of four samples. Based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus were identified. TLC analysis showed fluorescence only in the broken cashew and pistachio extracts, while no characteristic aflatoxin-associated spots were observed in the fungal extracts. Spectrophotometric analysis at 360 nm and 280 nm showed no significant absorption peaks. Aflatoxin levels were not detectable under the analytical conditions used and were therefore considered to be below the detection limit of the method. The fungal contamination observed may be associated with handling or storage conditions; however, these factors were not directly investigated. Further confirmation using sensitive methods such as HPLC or LC–MS/MS is recommended.
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