Mycobiota and mycotoxin producing fungi from cocoa beans.

The present study reports on the natural mycobiota occurring in cocoa beans, paying special attention to the incidence of fungal species that are potential producers of mycotoxins. The results show that predominant fungi were different species of the genus Aspergillus belonging to section Flavi and Nigri. Of the 214 strains of Aspergillus section Flavi collected from cocoa beans, 120 were identified as A. flavus and 94 as A. tamarii. Of Aspergillus section Nigri 138 strains were isolated, with 132 belonging to A. niger aggregate and 6 to A. carbonarius species. Potential ability to produce aflatoxins (AFs) B1, B2, G1 and G2, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) and ochratoxin A (OTA) was studied by iso…