2.4. Effect of peels on aflatoxins production
2.4.1. Pretreatment and inoculation of rice
Freshly harvested and un-stored mold free rice (variety Super Basmati) was obtained from the farms of Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad. A 5 g sample was dried in triplicate at 105 C to a constant weight to measure moisture content in rice (10.2% w/w). Rice in portions of 200 g, autoclaved and packed aseptically in air tight plastic bags. The grains were moistened by adding sterilized distilled water to raise the moisture level to 18% and 21%. Spore suspension, 4 mL (1012/mL) of A. flavus was inoculated in each bag under air laminar flow chamber and was mixed thoroughly for an uniform distribution.