Effect of γ-irradiation on mycoflora of
guarana (Paullinia cupana)
aInstituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e
Nucleares – IPEN-CNEN/SP. Centro de Tecnologia das Radiações. Travessa
R. No. 400, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 05508-910, São Paulo, Brazil
bInstituto
de Ciências Biomédicas (USP). Departamento de Microbiologia. Av. Prof.
Lineu Prestes, 1374. CEP: 05508-900, São Paulo, Brazil
cInstituto
Biológico de São Paulo. Av. Cons. Rodrigues Alves, 1252, CEP 04014-002, São
Paulo, SP, Brazil
Abstract
Guarana (Paullinia cupana), originally from Amazon, Brazil, is
currently used to cure headaches and as a stimulant, besides being used on
depressive patients. This study was developed to evaluate the presence of
toxigenic moulds, to detect mycotoxins, to determine the water activity (Aw)
and to verify the effects of γ-radiation in the fungal mycoflora
in 30 samples of guarana (P. cupana) in powder and grain forms
purchased from industry, pharmacies and street market in five cities of São
Paulo.
