Fungal contamination and water activity during industrial
processing and in the final product The low level of fungi in the final product is a result of industrial processing (roasting, grinding, pressing and alkalizing) which basically consists of technological processes that change the cocoa beans into products which actually taste like chocolate and at the same time reduces microbiological contaminants (Beckett, 2008). After pre-roasting of the beans, the testa is almost completely removed by winnowing (Minifie, 1999), which represents a significant reduction in the amount of contaminant microorganisms in the subsequent stages (ICMSF, 2005). The high temperature employed during the roasting and the procedures used to obtain nibs and liquor, coupled with the remaining moisture in the beans, should kill the microorganisms which can be present (Beckett,
2008). Treatments from 15 min to 2 h and 105-150 °C in this stage of chocolate production are capable of completely destroying the vegetative cells of microorganisms