Brazil nuts: determination of natural elements and aflatoxin

Abstract

A study was carried out to evaluate the association of levels of radioactivity, selenium and aflatoxin in shelled Brazil nuts, which were classified in different sizes, for export. The selenium determinations were performed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (LOQ = 3.0 µg g -1 ), and aflatoxins were detected by Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LOQ = 0.85 µg kg -1 ), recovery rates were between 92 and 100%. Radioactivity was measured by high-resolution gamma spectrometry. The selenium mean concentration was (22.7 ± 7.4) µg g Ra. There was no statistically significant association between the level of selenium and the activity of radionuclides, however, there was correlation between the radionuclides. Aflatoxins above the quantification limit were not found. Keywords: radioactivity; selenium; Bertholletia excelsa. Castanha do Brasil: determinação de elementos naturais e aflatoxinas resUMoUm estudo foi realizado para avaliar a associação dos níveis de radioatividade, selênio e aflatoxinas em castanha-do-Brasil descascada, que foram classificadas em diferentes tamanhos, para exportação. As determinações de selênio foram realizadas por espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma indutivamente acoplado (LOQ=3,0 µg kg -1 ) e aflatoxinas foram detectadas por LC-MSMS (LOQ=0,85 µg kg -1 ), as taxas de recuperação ficaram entre 92 e 100%. A radioatividade foi medida por espectrometria gama de alta resolução. A concentração média de selênio foi de (22,7 ± 7,4) Ra. Não houve associação estatisticamente significativa entre o nível de selênio e a atividade de radionuclídeos, no entanto, houve correlação entre os radionuclídeos. Não foi encontrado aflatoxinas acima do limite de quantifcação. PAlAvrAs-chAve: radioatividade, selênio, bertholletia excelsa.

The use of Amazon fungus (Trametes sp.) in the production of cellulase and xylanase

“…These findings reported in literature justify the attempt to use Trametes sp. for the production of cellulase and xylanase using the Brazil nut residue as substrate, since this wood-degrading fungus is abundant in the Amazon Region, where large amounts of this residue are produced (Martins et al, 2012).…”

“…Amazonas State stands out as the largest Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa HBK) producer in Brazil. The beneficiation of Brazil nut for exportation generates significant amounts of residues, which consist mainly of cellulose, lipids, starch, ash and sugars, therefore presenting great potential for use as substrate in solid state fermentation (Pacheco and Scussel, 2006;Martins et al, 2012).…”

Properties of Brazil nuts: A review

“…In addition to the kernel, the seed coat from different geographic origins showed an average content of Se of 6.34 to 20.58 mg/kg (Manfio et al 2012). Other minerals such as barium (Ba) and radium (Ra) can also be found in Brazil nuts (Martins et al 2012). The varied levels of Ra in the nuts seem to be influenced by bioaccumulation in the tree, which is transferred to the seeds depending on the concentration of Ra in the soil that is absorbed by the tree.…”

“…It is considered a good nutritional source for food enrichment and production as an alternative ingredient for some consumer groups (Yang, 2009). The kernels contain about 60 to 70% lipids, 15 to 20% protein, sulfur, vitamin E and antioxidant properties (Martins et al, 2012). The largest part of its production comes from areas of extractive activities, that is, they are collected from the natural forest; the seed is processed in plants by dehydration to obtain the dehydrated kernel (safe humidity below 15%) to be processed in-shell or shelled.…”

Brazil nut allergy: A review

“…Beta-and gammatocopherols are the most abundant tocopherol isomers present in Brazil nuts. Barium (Ba) and Radio (Ra) can also be found in Brazil nuts (Martins et al, 2012). Compared to other tree nuts, Brazil nuts are known as the best source of Se (Pacheco and Scussel, 2007;Chunhieng et al, 2008;Manfio et al, 2012).…”