Publication: Mould Characterization and Mycotoxin Quantification of Chia Seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) Grown in Kenya
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2019-10-30
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NRF
Publisher
Canadian Center of Science and Education
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Abstract
Chia seeds are functional food that have been considered highly nutritious. They have high levels of
polyunsaturated fatty acid content therefore counteract lifestyle disorder such as cardiovascular diseases. This
study sought to determine the level of mould contamination in chia seeds; enumeration and characterization of
the types of molds and quantification of mycotoxin level, for chia seeds grown and sold in Kenya. A complete
randomized block design with triplicates was used in the study. Samples were collected at random from farmers
and distributors in Nyeri, Nakuru, Busia and Trans Nzoia counties. Moulds species were isolated from PDA and
MEA Medias and morphological characteristics was determined under X 40 magnification power. Mould counts
were found to be between 1.33 X 103
cfu/ml to 2.67 X 103
cfu/ml. Mould characterization done by microscopic
and macroscopic technique showed evidence of Rhizopus spp, Trichoderma spp and Fusarium spp. Amongst the
three genera found, Rhizopus spp was the predominantly occurring mould. The percentage moisture content of
chia seeds samples ranged from 6.49±1.26 and 9.16±0.43. Significant variations on moisture content (p< 0.05)
were observed among chia samples from different farmers. Aflatoxin was not detected in all chia samples. It can
therefore be concluded that the chia samples were not contaminated with aflatoxin although different species of
mold were present. Farmers need to be trained on proper postharvest handling methods of chia seeds, as well as
proper storage and an objective method of analyzing the moisture content of the chia seeds need to be developed.
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Keywords
Keywords: chia seeds, mould characterization, mycotoxins