Fungal Infection and Toxigenicity Aspergillus flavus Isolated from Cacao and Coffee Beans in North Sumatera

Abstract

: Cacao ( Theobroma cacao ) and coffee beans ( Coffea sp,) in Indonesia produced mostly by small-scale plantation by farmers. This study was aimed to investigate fungal infection and toxigenicity of Aspergillus flavus strains on dried-stored cacao and coffee beans at collector distribution chain. As much as five kilogram dried-stored of the beans were collected from collector distribution chain at Karo Regency, North Sumatra.. The moisture content were determined by oven drying metthod. The percentage of beans infected by each fungal species was observed by direct plating on dichloran 18% glycerol agar (DG18) medium.. Fungal population was enumerated by a dilution followed by a pour plate in DG18 medium. Cultural method in agar medium containing 10% coconut milk was used to determine toxigenicity of A. flavus . Results showed moisture content cacao and coffee beans at collecto distribution chain was above National Indonesia Standard. Eighty eight percent of cacao beans were infected by A. niger , whereas, coffee beans were the most infected by A . flavus . (78.60%). A total of 14 strains of A. flavus were isolated, 4 strains found at cacao and 10 strains at coffee beans. Among of the total A. flavus , 3 strains are aflatoxin producers at cacao and 4 strains at coffee beans.