Moulds and Mycotoxins Associated with Cashew Fruits (Anacardium Occidentalel.) Deterioration

Abstract

Moulds and Mycotoxins Associated with Cashew Fruits (Anacardium Occidentalel.) Deterioration 1. Introduction The cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is a small to medium sized tree (7-20 m length) belonging to the family Anacardiaceae. The fruit is a kidney-shaped achene about 3cm long with a hard gray-green pericarp about 0.025-0.03m length and 0.02-0.025m width. Also, it has a red or yellow pseudo-fruit with dimensions of 0.04-0.12m length. [20]. originally a native of North South America, it is now widely grown in the tropical climates for its cashew fruits and cashew seeds. The leaves are spirally arranged, leathery texture, elliptic to obviate. The flowers are produced in a panicle or corymbs up to 26cm long. The largest cashew tree covers about 7,500 square meters (81,000sq ft.). The fruits of the cashew tree are accessory fruits (sometimes called Pseudocarp or false fruits). The cashew tree can handle temperatures above 40 o C (105 o F) well. An average day temperature for growing cashew is around 25 o C (77 o F) which is mostly ideal. Cashew can be grown either by grafting or planting of seeds and can grow like weeds as long as water is available. They are fairly drought resistant and can grow well even on marginal soil for where other fruit trees would fail. But the best soil for growing cashew is the sandy soils, well drain and free from strong wind. The plants are perennial and they produce