Seibersdorf: Pistachios, a beloved nut with a storied history dating back to ancient civilizations, now face a modern challenge as they become increasingly susceptible to aflatoxins, toxic compounds known to be carcinogenic.
According to EMM, experts at the FAO/IAEA's Food Safety and Control Laboratory (FSCL) in Seibersdorf, Austria, have developed an innovative technique to detect aflatoxins in pistachios using nuclear technology. This method employs ceramic electrical conductors printed with carbon-based ink, which, when combined with a Potentiostat device, can detect aflatoxin levels significantly below permissible limits. The system is designed to be portable and affordable, making it accessible for field operations, particularly in regions where conventional laboratory testing is unavailable.
The relevance of this technology is underscored by the increasing global production of pistachios, which reached over one million tonnes in 2022, with primary producers including Iran, the United States, and Turkey. As demand grows, so does the risk of contamination from aflatoxins, which can form when the pistachio shell splits during ripening, exposing the nut to moulds and insects.
Aflatoxins were first identified in 1960 after a mass mortality event in turkeys in the United Kingdom, and they have since been recognized as a significant health hazard due to their carcinogenic properties. The new testing method offers a solution to the limitations of traditional techniques, which are often expensive, time-consuming, and require specialized equipment and expertise.
The FSCL's approach, described as a "Lab in a Box," provides a rapid screening tool that can be utilized in emergency food safety situations, offering a critical advantage in areas with limited resources. This is particularly important as climate change threatens to exacerbate the spread of mycotoxins like aflatoxins, posing further risks to food safety and public health.
The IAEA, in collaboration with the FAO, is working under the Atoms4Food initiative to extend these portable and cost-effective testing techniques to other food products and contaminants, such as fumonisins in maize and toxic metals in fruit juices. The adaptability of this sensor platform demonstrates its potential to enhance food safety across a range of applications, supporting global efforts to maintain food security in the face of environmental and logistical challenges.
Christina Vlachou, Head of FSCL, emphasized the importance of these interventions in ensuring food safety worldwide, helping to prevent foodborne illnesses and support countries in meeting hygiene standards. The development of these tools reflects a commitment to innovative solutions that safeguard public health and bolster food security in an increasingly complex global food system.