EFFECT OF GAMMA IRRADIATION ON AFLATOXIN B1 PRODUCTION BY ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS IN GROUND BEEF STORED AT 5C |
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| Authors: | BOTHAINA M YOUSSEF SOUZAN R MAHROUS NAGY H AZIZ |
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| Affiliation: | National Center for Radiation Research and Technology P.O.Box 29 Nasr City Cairo, Egypt |
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| Abstract: | The effect of γ-irradiation for controlling the production of aflatoxin B1 by Aspergillus flavus in ground beef stored at 5C for 2 weeks was investigated. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Mucor, Scopulariopsis, Candida and Rhodotorula were the most common fungal genera contaminating ground beef. A. flavus and A. niger were the most common Aspergillus spp. Aspergillus flavus isolates were able to produce aflatoxin B1 in ground beef. Only 3 (20%) samples of ground beef were contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (25–45 μg/Kg). Gamma irradiation dose levels resulted in an immediate reduction in the total numbers of A. flavus. No growth or aflatoxin B1 production occurred at 1.50 kGy during storage. |
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