Oil Characterization and Aflatoxin Profile of Peanut Kernel Subjected to Gamma Irradiation

Abstract

Peanuts are nutritious foods, however, following harvest and storage, these nuts are prone to mycotoxin contamination. Gamma irradiation is an effective technique in postharvest pest control to kill insects and inhibit mycotoxin biosynthesis. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of doses of gamma ray on oil properties and mycotoxin profile of raw peanut seeds. Seeds were exposure to gamma radiation at 10 and 25 kGy and stored at ambient temperature for 6 months compared to non-treated seeds before storage. Color, hardness, oil content, total sugar, total protein content, peroxide value (PV), malonaldehyde (MDA) and aflatoxin analysis were assessed. According to this finding, no significant differences of color, hardness, oil content, PV, MDA were found among treatments. Aflatoxin inhibition and total sugars of treated gamma irradiation peanuts at 10 kGy were higher than treated peanuts at 25 kGy.