Banahene Joel Cox Menka, Ofosu Isaac Williams, Lutterodt Herman Erick, Ellis William Otoo
Department of Food Science and Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Research Department, Quality Control Company Limited - Ghana Cocoa Board, Tema - Greater Accra, Ghana.
Sci Prog. 2025 Jan-Mar;108(1):368504241311963. doi: 10.1177/00368504241311963.
This study investigated the fungal contamination profile of cocoa beans from cocoa-growing regions in Ghana, with particular emphasis on the potential impact of ochratoxigenic species.
A total of 104 fermented and dried cocoa beans were randomly collected from farmers for analysis. Fungal isolation was conducted using potato dextrose agar and malt extract agar media. Species-level identification was performed through macroscopic and microscopic techniques. Ochratoxin A (OTA) quantification and confirmation were carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
The investigation revealed 163 fungal isolates representing 14 distinct species across 10 genera. species, including , , , and , were predominant. No statistically significant differences in fungal species occurrence were observed among the different cocoa-growing regions. However, certain species exhibited preferential growth on specific media, emphasizing the importance of medium selection in mycological studies. Of the 14 fungal species tested, only demonstrated the ability to produce OTA , as confirmed by LC-MS/MS analysis.
This discovery holds substantial implications for both the cocoa industry and public health, considering that OTA is a potent mycotoxin subject to strict regulatory limits in food commodities. It is crucial to implement enhanced monitoring and control measures to mitigate fungal contamination in cocoa beans, particularly targeting OTA-producing species. The study also highlights the need for improved post-harvest handling practices, optimized storage conditions, and potential biocontrol approaches.
本研究调查了加纳可可种植区可可豆的真菌污染情况，特别关注产赭曲霉毒素菌种的潜在影响。
从农民处随机收集了104份发酵和干燥的可可豆进行分析。使用马铃薯葡萄糖琼脂和麦芽提取物琼脂培养基进行真菌分离。通过宏观和微观技术进行菌种水平鉴定。使用带荧光检测的高效液相色谱法和液相色谱 - 串联质谱法（LC-MS/MS）进行赭曲霉毒素A（OTA）定量和确证。
调查发现163株真菌分离株，代表10个属的14个不同菌种。 等菌种占主导地位。不同可可种植区之间在真菌种类出现情况上未观察到统计学显著差异。然而，某些菌种在特定培养基上表现出优先生长，强调了培养基选择在真菌学研究中的重要性。在测试的14种真菌中，只有 通过LC-MS/MS分析确证具有产生OTA的能力。
考虑到OTA是一种强效霉菌毒素，食品商品中受到严格监管限制，这一发现对可可产业和公共卫生都具有重大意义。实施强化监测和控制措施以减轻可可豆中的真菌污染至关重要，特别是针对产OTA的菌种。该研究还强调了改进收获后处理方法、优化储存条件和潜在生物防治方法的必要性。
