Brazil nuts: Benefits and risks associated with contamination by fungi and mycotoxins |
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Authors: | Otniel Freitas-Silva,Armando Venâ ncio |
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Affiliation: | a Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugalb Embrapa Food Technology, Av das Américas, 29501, 23.020-470, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
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Abstract: | The monotypic type genus Bertholletia produces commercially nutritionally harvested edible seeds, Brazil nuts. It is an important product from the Amazon forest in the food production chain, with a 2008 annual world production of 78,000 tonnes, being Brazil responsible for approximately 40% of it. Although there are beneficial nutritional properties, the prevailing mycobiota of Brazil nuts include fungi that are producers of aflatoxins, such as Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius. Aflatoxins have deleterious effects in consumption considering the global distribution chain, affecting major exporting countries. The present review is focused on the importance of Brazil nuts for the Amazon rainforest, emphasizing on the social and environmental impact of its production, on the mycobiota contamination of seeds, and on the presence of mycotoxins and related food safety aspects. |
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Keywords: | Bertholletia excelsa Brazil nuts Health benefit Aspergillus Food safety Aflatoxins |
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