Prevention of aflatoxins contamination in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) seeds by some organic acids

Abstract

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is one of the most important crops grown for its edible seeds. Quinoa is also used in foods to replace grains like wheat for people who need to avoid gluten. The seed samples of quinoa were found to be naturally contaminated with aflatoxin B1, B2 and G1. Some organic acids lauric acid, propionic acid, benzoic acid and sorbic acid have been investigated to inhibit mould incidence and aflatoxin in quinoa seeds. The maximum inhibition of mould incidence and aflatoxin contamination was observed at 0.4 % concentration of propionic acid and the minimum inhibition of mould contamination was observed with lauric acid. The benzoic acid inhibited aflatoxin B2 and G1 at the concentration of 0.5 but aflatoxin B1 could be inhibited only up to extent 97.72% at 0.5 concentrations and the mould was also completely suppressed at the concentration. More or less similar findings have been observed in other acids.