Present situation for production of pistachio nuts in Iran

Abstract

Distribution of A. flavus and A. parasiticus were examined in the steps from harvest to air of warehouse for final products after processing in Yazd and Kerman, Iran in 2000. A. flavus was isolated from the some of split fruits and insect-damaged fruits dropped on the growing field of the nuts, and running water and still water for washing and sorting of the nuts as well as air in the warehouse although none from the field soil. These results indicated that fungus control throughout the steps from growing to storage of the nuts was important to prevent aflatoxin contamination in Iranian pistachio nuts. One sample separated by floating process and 5 samples sorted by hand picking on basis of appearence were examined for mycological study and also for aflatoxin analysis. A. flavus were detected in both samples of all the kernels tested in the floating nuts separated by the floating and dark stained nuts sorted by hand picking. B and G aflaftoxins were detected only in the sample of stained nuts in this study. These results suggested that the hand picking by apperenece is useful for sorting to detoxify aflatoxin contamination lots of the nuts although further study is needed.