Fungal contamination in spices sold in street markets and supermarkets

Abstract

Four types of spices, Bixa orellana L. (annatto), Cuminum cyminum L.(cumin), Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) and black Piper nigrum L. (black pepper) collected from street markets and supermarkets in the city of Teresina, PI, Brazil, were examined for mould contamination. Of 36 samples evaluated, 28 (77.77%) were positive and 12 fungal species were identified. The values of colony forming units per g (CFU/g), detected in spices samples from street markets and supermarkets, were higher than those established by the federal reference limit, ranging from 8.6 × 103 to 1.3 × 105; and no significant differences were observed among them. The most predominant fungal genera were Aspergillus and Penicillium, with six and three identified species respectively. Annatto, cumin and turmeric, collected from street markets, showed the highest CFU/g values for Exserohilum mcginnisii, Absidia corymbifera and Aspergillus nidulans, respectively. The spices evaluated in this study showed contamination with potentially pathogenic fungi and mycotoxicogenic species, which might be a health hazard for humans.