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Mycotoxins in Australia: biocontrol of aflatoxin in peanuts

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Abstract

The major mycotoxin problem in Australia is the formation of aflatoxins in peanuts by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. This is controlled by good farm management practice, segregation into grades on aflatoxin content at intake to shelling facilities, colour sorting and aflatoxin assays. A second problem is the potential presence of ochratoxin A in grapes and grape products, resulting from infection by Aspergillus carbonarius. Good quality control before and during wine making ensures ochratoxin A is kept to very low levels, but in dried vine fruit, ochratoxin A levels may be higher. Biocontrol by competitive exclusion has been developed as the most promising means of controlling aflatoxins in peanuts. Some details of the process are given, including some basic laboratory experiments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Food Science Australia, North Ryde, NSW, 2113, Australia

    J. I. Pitt & Ailsa D. Hocking

  2. Food Science Australia, P.O. Box 52, North Ryde, NSW, 1670, Australia

    J. I. Pitt

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  1. J. I. Pitt
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  2. Ailsa D. Hocking
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Correspondence to J. I. Pitt.

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Pitt, J.I., Hocking, A.D. Mycotoxins in Australia: biocontrol of aflatoxin in peanuts. Mycopathologia 162, 233–243 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-006-0059-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-006-0059-0

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