Application of biofungicides in control of Aspergillus flavus infestation during the drying and storage of the peanut

• Grant number: 12/25449-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): March 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Engineering
• Principal Investigator: João Cláudio Thoméo
• Grantee: Juliana Arakaki Takemoto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project aims to obtain and apply a biofungicide from native and non native plants from Brazil to control the infestation of the fungus Aspergillus flavus in peanuts (Arachis hypogaea), variety Runner. The minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of the essential oils of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), basil (Ocimum basilicum), oregano (Origanum vulgare) and lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) will be determined in PDA culture medium. The best biofungicides will be applied to the peanut pods in environments with controlled water activity, in order to determine the CIM in industrial-like conditions. Drying experiments will be carried out using pods sprinkled with the best biofungicide obtained in the previous step in a convective dryer, using shallow beds and deep beds. The dry pods will be stored in an environment with controlled water activity and the fungal infestation will be analyzed during the storage period. At the end of this project, one may have an efficient antifungal agent and operational drying information for industrial application.(AU)