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Aflatoxin production on the pits (seeds) of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

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Abstract

Pits —a by-product of the utilization of date fruits, are widely used as components of animal feeds, but an incident of aflatoxicosis in camels fed rations containing date pits has caused concern in the Gulf Region. This present study has shown that date pits can support aflatoxin production when inoculated withAspergillus parasiticus (IMI 91019b) and that variety and/or stages of maturation within a given variety can affect the final level of aflatoxin in the material. In one variety, Lulu, aflatoxin production was 44.5,38.7 and 21.0 ⧎g/g in pits taken from the first three stages of ripening namelyKimri, Khalal andRutab, but no significant aflatoxin production was noted at the fully-ripeTamr stage. Moisture content was considered to be the most important factor with respect to the capacity of the mould to synthesise aflatoxin in date pits.

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Author notes

  1. Ahmed I A

    Present address: Central Food Control and Consultancy Laboratory, Sharjah Municipality, PO Box 22, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Central Food Control and Consultancy Laboratory, Sharjah Municipality, PO Box 22, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

    Ahmed A K

  2. Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Reading, UK

    Robinson R K

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  1. Ahmed I A
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  2. Ahmed A K
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  3. Robinson R K
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Ahmed, I.A., Ahmed, A.K. & Robinson, R.K. Aflatoxin production on the pits (seeds) of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.). Mycotox Res 11, 75–84 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03192068

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03192068

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