Aflatoxin Contamination of Pistachio and the Problems and Strategies of Decontamination; A Review Study

It goes without saying that the most important problem of the country’ pistachio exports is the contamination of pistachios with Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin. The liver and kidney are the tissues targeted by aflatoxin that leads to carcinogenic effects. The contamination of pistachios with this toxin can threaten the main source of foreign exchange earnings, and prevent the producers from competing in the global market. In Iran and other pistachio-producing countries, contamination by Aspergillus species occurs during the growth phase as well as during or after the processing phases. As much as 2.5% of the world’s agricultural products are contaminated with mycotoxins. At present, the maximum allowed levels for aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin are 1-20 ng g-1 and 0-35 ng g-1, respectively. The Iranian Institute of Standard and Industrial Research has set the highest acceptable levels of aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin in pistachios at 5 and 15 ng g-1, respectively. Mechanical separation techniques, thermal inactivation, and irradiation are among the methods of decontamination and fungus control after pistachio harvesting. Ionizing radiation decontamination is a highly efficient, safe and environmental-friendly process that can be used for decontamination.