Selenium and Aflatoxin levels in raw Brazil nuts from the Amazon Basin.

Whereas selenium (Se) is an important antioxidant in human metabolism to prevent cancer; aflatoxins are highly carcinogenic. Brazil nuts from Eastern and Western Amazon regions were evaluated to find any relationship between Se and aflatoxins levels. A total of 80 (in-shell and shelled) nuts samples were collected directly from different forest sites and analyzed for […]

Characteristics of in-shell Brazil nuts and their relationship to aflatoxin contamination: criteria for sorting.

External characteristics of in-shell Brazil nuts were evaluated for dimensions (length and face width); weight; chromaticity; and shell thickness. The internal characteristics evaluated were moisture content (mc); aflatoxin contamination (analyzed by LC-MS/MS); and shell/nut ratio. According to their length; Brazil nuts were classified in three groups: I; II; and III; corresponding to large; medium; and […]