Fungal and mycotoxin contamination of coffee beans in Benguet province, Philippines

Abstract

Coffee remains an important agricultural product in Benguet province, Philippines, but is highly susceptible to fungal and mycotoxin contamination in various stages of growth and processing and in different local climates. In this study, pre- and post-harvest coffee bean samples from temperate and warm farming areas were assessed for their fungal and mycotoxin contaminants. One hundred eighty-five fungal isolates belonging to six genera were isolated representing 88.1% of mycotoxigenic fungi. The predominant species belonged to the genus Aspergillus, which are known producers of mycotoxins. Coffee beans from the post-harvest temperate group were found to have the highest percentage mycotoxigenic contamination of 98.4%, suggesting that the risk for fungal contamination is high after drying. Determination of the mycotoxins indicated 28.6% contamination. Ochratoxin A was found to be highest in dried whole cherries which contained 97.3 μg kg^–1, whilst sterigmatocystin was also highest in dried whole cherries at 193.7 μg kg^–1. These results indicate that there are risks of fungal and mycotoxin contamination of Benguet coffee at the post-harvest stage.

Keywords:

• Aspergillus spp.
• coffee beans
• fungal contaminants
• mycotoxins
• ochratoxin A
• sterigmatocystin

Acknowledgement

The collection of coffee samples was fully supported by the Municipal Agriculture Office of Atok, Kibungan and Sablan; and coffee farm data were supplied by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Benguet, and Mr Gabriel Falag-ey, Department of Agriculture, Cordillera Administrative Region.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this study was kindly provided by Saint Louis University, Baguio City, through its Research and Extension Office under University Research grant number 13.1.SNS.1.