The Health Impact of Fungi Associated With Seed Nuts and Dried Fruits in Local Markets of Erbil City

Due to high nutritional value, nuts have been consumed by humans all over the world, moreover some nuts are included in the animal’s feed. A number of fungi associated with seed nuts are widely documented. These fungi produce different metabolites with poisonous and/or carcinogenic effects. In the current study, eight types of nuts seeds and dried fruits were examined. Samples are intended for human consumption, including walnuts, almonds, peanuts, dried grapes, dried figs, cashew, green seeds, and dried berries. By washing method was followed (W/V= 10g/ 50ml sterilized distillated water). Fungal isolates were Asp. niger , Alternaria sp. , Geotrichum , Clodosporium sp. , Stemphylum , Rhizopus sp, Asp. fumigatus, Asp. flavus, Asp. nidulans, Mucor sp. yeast and white mycelia. Aspergillus spp were predominant followed by Cladosporium sp. while the dried fig showed the highest number of isolates followed by dried grapes (40, 26 respectively). The isolated fungi include a number of the most fungal allergens and mycotoxin producers.