Assessment of Mycotoxigenic Fungal Contaminants in Dried Fruits and Nuts in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Abstract Dried fruits and nuts are nutritious but susceptible to fungal contamination and mycotoxin-related health risks. This study investigated the prevalence and diversity of fungal contamination in dried fruits and nuts collected from local markets in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Different varieties of widely consumed dates, raisins, and nuts were collected from markets across Dhaka city for analysis. Fungal contamination was assessed using the direct plating method, with preliminary identification based on morphological and microscopic features, and molecular confirmation using ITS1 and ITS4 primers followed by sequence analysis. The mean fungal colony counts were 84.5 ± 3.20 CFU/g for nuts, 72.8 ± 3.81 CFU/g for raisins, and 58.0 ± 4.24 CFU/g for dates. A total of ten fungal species belonging to four genera—Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, and Fusarium—were isolated from the samples. Aspergillus spp. were the dominant, with A. niger and A. flavus found in 95.23% and 80.95% of the samples, respectively. Among Penicillium species, P. oxalicum was the dominant (85.71%). Rhizopus spp. and Fusarium spp. were detected in 47.6% and 23.8% of samples, respectively. The findings reveal a high prevalence of potentially toxigenic Aspergillus and Penicillium in dried fruits and nuts in Bangladesh, underscoring the need for routine monitoring and improved storage to minimize mycotoxin contamination. Keywords: Aspergillus, Dried fruits and nuts, Fungi, Health risks, Mycotoxin