A preliminary mycological evaluation of organic and conventional foods

Hassan Gourama

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Selected conventional and organic foods were surveyed during the period 2009-2013. A total of 100 samples (50 conventional and 50 organic] were purchased from grocery stores and farmers' markets in southeastern Pennsylvania. The products investigated were popcorn, rice, corn, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, green peas, flaxseeds, soybeans and cashew nuts. Direct plating was used in the study, with the following media: MEA, DRBC, DG18 and AFPA. After samples were incubated at 25°C for 3-5 days, the results were expressed as percentage of food particles infected by molds. Selected mold isolates were tested for the production of mycotoxins in laboratory media, and all food samples were screened for aflatoxin. The results of this preliminary study demonstrate no significant difference in the levels of mold contamination between organic and conventional samples. Twenty-two mold species representing eleven different genera have been identified. The most dominant mold genera were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria and Cladosporium. Some of the species identified have been found to produce their respective mycotoxins in laboratory media. A few samples in each food category were found to contain aflatoxins. There was no significant difference in mycotoxin production between mold species isolated from organic samples and those isolated from conventional samples.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)385-391
Number of pages7
JournalFood Protection Trends
Volume35
Issue number5
StatePublished - Sep 1 2015

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Food Science
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A preliminary mycological evaluation of organic and conventional foods'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this