Mycobiota and co-occurrence of mycotoxins in Capsicum powder

This study aimed to: (1) determine the mycobiota of Capsicum powder samples, paying a special attention to the mycotoxigenic moulds; (2) evaluate the contamination levels of aflatoxins (AF), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON), T2 and HT2 toxins in those samples. Thirty-two samples were obtained through the methods of sampling established by the European Union legislation. Aspergillus and Eurotium were the most frequently found genera. Aspergillus section Nigri had the higher relative frequency in the samples, A. niger aggregate being the most representative group of this section. Other potentially mycotoxigenic Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium species were found, but in a lower frequency. Co-occurrence of mycotoxins was confirmed in the 32 Capsicum powder samples. All samples were contaminated with AF and OTA, 27% with ZEA (36% of chilli and 18% of paprika samples), 9% with DON (18% of chilli and 6% of paprika samples), 6% with T2 (18% of chilli samples) and none of the samples contained HT2. Although in the present study the most common genera found (Aspergillus and Eurotium) belong to storage moulds, some field fungi such as Fusarium spp. were also found, and their toxins were sometimes detected. This fact supports the hypothesis that mycotoxin contamination of Capsicum products may occur both in the field and/or during storage.