Occurrence of microfungi on several dried fruits

Aims: Dried fruits may harbour a variety of fungi especially those that can grow in low water activity conditions. Knowledge on the occurrence of fungi on dried fruits is an important step to predict the possibility of mycotoxin contamination, thus the present study was conducted to determine the occurrence of fungi on dates, figs, kiwi and raisins. Methodology and results: Based on morphological characteristics, six genera of fungi comprising eight species, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Penicillium corylophilum, P. glabrum, Chaetomium globosum, Fusarium sacchari, Acremonium strictum and Mycelia sterilia were identified. Three most commonly species isolated were A. niger (19 isolates), P. corylophilum (seven isolates) and A. flavus (five isolates). The less common species were C. globosum (three isolates), Mycelia sterilia (three isolates), A. strictum (one isolate) and P. glabrum (one isolate). Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Common mycotoxin producer are the fungi from the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium. The occurrence of toxigenic fungi on dates, figs, kiwi and raisins suggested that some of these fungi may be an important source of mycotoxin contamination.