Susceptibility of Date Fruits (Phoenix dactylifera) to Aflatoxin Production

Segments of fruits from 12 varieties of date (Phoenix dactylifera) and three stages of maturation were inoculated with a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus parasiticus. During growth at 28°C for 10 days, 8 varieties supported appreciable aflatoxin production at the Khalal stage—the most popular stage for direct human consumption, with a maximum value in excess of 300 μg g^-1 of fruit. Marked differences in susceptibility to infection and/or aflatoxin production were observed between varieties and/or stage of maturation. It was concluded that toxigenic aspergilli could proliferate on any date fruits that suffered mechanical damage in the field or during harvesting, and hence that such fruits should be considered as likely to be unfit for human or animal consumption. © 1997 SCI.