In-vitro Studies on Aflatoxin Contamination and Management of Copra Quality

Background: Post-harvest management of copra quality poses significant challenges due to improper handling by farmers and traders, a lack of awareness about mycotoxin contamination, and the associated health risks from metabolites produced by molds. Most traders noted that copra extraction happens at the farmers’ level, which heightens the risk of mold infestation, as many farmers do not realize that improper drying can result in fungal contamination. Copra quality is found to be reduced by many fungi. Methods: In the present study mycoflora isolated from storage copra. Potential biocontrol agents and chemical preservatives were screened against isolated mycoflora by using dual culture technique to enhance copra quality and to ensure better preservation methods in the industry. Result: Isolation studies revealed that Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Rhizopus spp, Drechslera spp, Botryodiplodia spp and Penicillium spp are the commonly associated mycoflora on copra during storage. Aspergillus flavus was predominant among the mycoflora with percent colonies ranging from 68 to 92 per each sample. Dual culture studies carried out with the three species of Trichoderma isolated from soils of coconut gardens revealed that T.viride, T.harzianum and T.hamatum were found very effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of A.flavus under in vitro conditions. of them, T.hamatum was found very effective in controlling A.flavus. Among various chemical preservatives tested, Menadione showed the highest inhibition of A. flavus strains at 100 percent, followed by Potassium metabisulfite at 77.23 percent and Benzoic acid at 63.33 percent. Compatibility studies between A.flavus and the widely used chemical preservatives in food industry gives an idea of the nature of chemical preservatives to be used.