Usage UV Irradiation for Reducing Fungal Contamination of Loose Nuts in Al Jouf Markets

Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus Parasiticus, Aspergillus terreus, and Rhizopus stolonifera were isolated from the seeds' surfaces of loose nuts that are sold in markets of Sakaka city, Saudi Arabia. The ammonia detection experiment showed that isolates of A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. niger have the ability to release aflatoxins rather than the other isolated species. Loose nuts were exposed to UV wavelengths (240-380 nm) for different times (180, 120, 90, 60, 40, 20 minutes) on both sides of the nut. The highest inhibition rate of fungi growth was 90 minutes at 100%. Also, the heavy metal, as well as the ether contents, were studied both for the preserved and the loose samples to detect the effect of the UV irradiations and the pathogenic microorganism.