CORRELATION BETWEEN CLIMATIC DATA AND AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION OF IRANIAN PISTACHIO NUTS

Abstract

All shipments of Iranian pistachio nuts to the USA must be inspected for aflatoxin contamination [by Aspergillus flavus] and at irregular intervals some of them are rejected. The only point-of-origin climatic factors correlated with rejections were rainfall and number of calm days per month during Aug.-Nov., the period of ripening and harvesting. [Other factors considered were relative humidity and temperature].