Gamma-irradiation effect (60Co) in fungi frequency of peanut in natura and after storage

Gamma-irradiation effect was verified on the capability of destroying the mycoflora of peanuts grain, Tatu Vermelho cultivar, 2003 crop (second semester). The peanuts grains, after irradiation, were kept at room temperature in plastic bags during 180 days. To determine the percentage of fungi, the direct plating technique was used and the grains were plated out on mycological media dicholoran rose bengal chloranphenicol (DRBC), being desinfected or not with sodium hypochlorite solution. Irradiated and desinfected peanuts was observed a reduction of fungi infection at 5 kGy and total fungi destruction at 10 kGy, after 180 days in storage at room temperature. Irradiated and non desinfected grains showed a increase of fungi population with 1 kGy dose, reduction with 5 kGy dose and total destruction with 10 kGy dose. Gamma-irradiation in 10 kGy dose or higher, showed to be an efficient process to reduce the mycoflora of peanuts, Tatu Vermelho cultivar.