ABSTRACT
The aims of this work were to investigate the effects of gamma irradiation on population, viability and aflatoxin B1 production of Aspergillus flavus strains isolated from nutmeg kernels. Thirteen strains of A. flavus were isolated and cultured in potato dextrose agar. Conidia were harvested, air-dried, and irradiated 0, 5, or 10 kGy with gamma rays using a Cobalt-60 source. Toxigenicity were determined using a coconut agar medium and thin layer chromatography. Genomes of strains were extracted from mycelia. Four sets of primers, regulatory (aflR) and structural genes (nor-1, ver-1, omt-1) were used to confirm the presence of the genes. Our results indicate that total fungal populations decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing irradiation dose. However, doses of 5 and 10 kGy were insufficient to completely eliminate the viability of some A. flavus strains. Irradiation did not change toxigenicity and triggered surviving toxigenic strains to produce aflatoxin B1.
ABSTRACT
Food poisoning outbreaks frequently occur in many countries resulting in economic loss. A formula for calculation of economic loss due to food poisoning outbreaks in Indonesia was developed. Estimation of the loss was developed based on experiences in several countries. Related data were also collected from local health facilities, food industry officials, and other sources to improve the accuracy of the formula. Calculation of the economic loss was performed based on cases of food poisoning outbreaks recorded in 2013. Economic loss was estimated based on direct health-care costs, direct non-health-care costs, and indirect non-health-care costs. The economic loss of food poisoning outbreaks in Indonesia in 2013 was approximately US$ 78 million. The high-cost of economic loss due to food poisoning outbreaks suggests a need for additional and serious efforts for controlling all aspects of food safety.
