Assessing the fungal contamination and potential impact of ochratoxigenic Aspergillus species on cocoa beans from cocoa-growing regions of Ghana

• Published in: Science progress (1916) Vol. 108; no. 1; p. 368504241311963
• Main Authors: Banahene, Joel Cox Menka, Ofosu, Isaac Williams, Lutterodt, Herman Erick, Ellis, William Otoo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2025; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Aspergillus; Aspergillus - classification; Aspergillus - isolation & purification; Aspergillus - metabolism; Aspergillus niger; Biological control; Biology & Life Sciences; Cacao - chemistry; Cacao - microbiology; Chromatography; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cocoa; Cocoa beans; Cocoa industry; Contamination; Food contamination; Food Contamination - analysis; Food Microbiology; Fungi; Ghana; High performance liquid chromatography; Liquid chromatography; Malt; Mass spectrometry; Mass spectroscopy; Mycotoxins; Ochratoxin A; Ochratoxins - analysis; Public health; Species; Statistical analysis; Storage conditions; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Ghana; ochratoxigenic fungi; LCM/SMS; ochratoxin a; Ghana; Cocoa beans; HPLC

Objective: 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 Aspergillus species. Methods: A total of 104 fermented and dried cocoa beans were randomly collected from farmers...