Effect of different factors including gamma radiation on the growth and aflatroxin producing of Aspergillus flavus in sesame seeds.

ABSTRACT

Sesame seeds were inoculated with spore suspension of aflatoxigenic isolate of A. flavus. The effect of different moisture content levels on total A. flavus count was studied. The chemical quality attributes of inoculated sesame seeds containing different moisture contents were also investigated. The effect of moisture content, incubation temperature, incubation period, inoculum level and radiation on the aflatoxin production by A. flavus on sesame seeds was investigated. Sesame seeds were inoculated with aflatoxigenic A. Flavus, then irradiated with different irradiation doses. It was found that irradiation decreased aflatoxin production in seeds, this decrease was proportional with irradiation dose. Aflatoxin production was completely prevented by an irradiation dose of 2.5 kGy in inoculated sesame seeds, even under the most proper conditions for the growth of this fungus