Browsing by Author "Misra, J.K."

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    Occurrence of Fungi in Marketed Betel Nut
    (1984) Misra, J.K.; Raisuddin; Kavak Shodh Ekai
    Betel nut samples collected from grocer's shop, betel and betel nut shops and betel nut vendors, were analysed for their microfungal population using the blotter and agar-plate methods. Moisture content of nut samples was also determined. Of a total of 33 species belonging to various genera isolated, species frequently encountered were of .Aspergillus, Mucor and Penicillium. Many of these fungi are known myco-toxin producers. Seasonal occurrence of fungi was evident which had direct relationship with the moisture content of the nuts. In India, areca palm (Areca catechu L.) according to Nayar (14) occurs over a land of 1,74,300 hectare and is consumed for several religious and social ceremonies in various forms. It is one of the most important and common masticatories used by the rural and urban folks. Except for a preliminary report by Misra and Misra (11), surprisingly little work has been done on the fungi and their seasonal occurrence in betel nuts (9, 13, 16). It, therefore, appeared profitable to undertake systematic and extensive collection of betel nuts from various sources and examine them for the presence of micro-fungi. This paper embodies results of the above study.