Formulas to prevent mycotoxins in nuts

Their presence leads to loss of quality and, in many cases, not be able to commercialize the Walnut. Avoid them entails taking measures in the garden, harvesting and drying.

Mycotoxins in foods are an element of high risk to human health. And the nuts are not exempt from the problem, which leads to, While in the country have not been cases, in the field are looking for always prevent.

In nuts can be found Ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1, two mycotoxins that can cause various diseases, and are colorless, odorless and that they do not lose toxicity with pasteurization.

“The greatest health risk is given by consumption during long time of food contaminated with small amounts of mycotoxins; i.e., by chronic exposure”, explains Claudia Foerster, doctor in veterinary and science Silvoagropecuarian, academic of the U. B. Or ’ Higgins and collaborator of the advanced Centre for chronic diseases (ACCDiS ).

To avoid their presence, the recommendation is to do a proper management in the garden, through irrigation, delivery of nutrients in the amounts and dates that correspond and weed control, Since, as explained Jean Paul Joublan, expert in nuts, This decreases the possibility of the fungi responsible for Ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1 production affecting the fruit.

Another key moment is the harvest, where it is essential to define the maximum time that the fruit is on the ground, to avoid conditions environmental that occur in this, as moisture and insects, conducive to its emergence, raises Giovanni wolves, researcher at INRA Intihuasi. Why wolves recommends that the work of harvest, drying and storage are programmed so that each process is carried out in the shortest possible time.

The Council is that drying Walnut should be fast, in order that the fruit reaches a humidity of around 8% in a period of no more than 72 hours from the harvest. It is also essential that the wineries or places chosen by producer recorded a relative humidity of 70% and temperatures between 0 ° C and 10 ° C.

In addition, facilities must be well ventilated, protected from rain and from the entrance of rodents, birds and insects, also having a drainage of water from the soil system.

Source: The field magazine impresa.elmercurio.com