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Biocontrol agents can be used to control mycotoxigenic fungi, which include different species of yeast. The objectives of this research were to select yeast isolates that can inhibit the growth of ochratoxin A (OTA)-producing fungi (Aspergillus ochraceus BIO 37310) and to increase the taste of Arabica coffee processed using wet and semi-wet methods. Twenty-two yeast isolates (KA, KA2, KB, KB2, KC, KD, Endomyces decipiens BIO 131215, E. fibuliger BIO 132216, BIO 132217, BIO 13218, BIO 132219, BIO 132220, Candida krusei (= Issatchenkia orientalis) BIO 211285, BIO 211286, BIO 211287, BIO 211288, BIO 211289, BIO 211290, BIO 211291, Saccharomyces cerevisiae BIO 341363, BIO 341364, and BIO 341365) were screened for their antagonistic property against A. ochraceus BIO 37310 in vitro using well (dip) test method. The results showed that C. krusei (BIO 211287, BIO 211288, and BIO 211289) inhibited A. ochraceus BIO 37310. In vivo the highest yeast population was found in coffee beans processed using a semi-wet method inoculated with C. krusei BIO 211288 (46,222 ± 9,576 cfu/g), which was not significantly different from that of the coffee beans inoculated with C. krusei BIO 211287 (36,333 ± 14,000 cfu/g). The three yeast isolates were also able to grow either in coffee beans processed using wet or semi-wet methods inoculated with A. ochraceus BIO 37310 and each yeast isolate. Interaction between the three yeast isolates and A. ochraceus BIO 37310 resulted in E-type interaction, i.e. the fungus was not able to grow anymore, while the yeasts grew further. The total cupping scores of coffee beans inoculated with the three yeast isolates were higher than those of coffee beans uninoculated and inoculated with commercial lactic acid bacteria. The three yeast isolates could be used as biocontrol agents of A. ochraceus BIO 37310 and increase the sensorial quality of coffee beverages.

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) or fragrant nutmeg is an important commodity that has been used in the food and pharmaceutical industries, hence its quality should be monitored. The objectives of this study were to: 1) identify Critical Control Points (CCP) in nutmeg’s postharvest handling process and prepare nutmeg HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) System and 2) provide a recommendation on GHP (Good Handling Practices) of nutmeg in order to maintain its quality in relation to food safety issue which is very important for international trade. Ripe fruits of nutmeg were collected after the fruits had reached maturity and fallen from their trees. A paranet was placed under each nutmeg tree to prevent the ripe nutmeg fruits from falling on the ground. The subsequent processes were taking out the nutmeg seeds from the fruits and separating the nutmeg seeds from the pulps and maces. After that, the nutmeg seeds underwent the drying process by using the smoke- and oven-dried methods until the moisture content of the nutmeg seeds was reduced by 10%. Subsequently, the nutmeg seeds were divided into two parts, prior to the storing process. The first part was fumigated by using phosphine (2 g/m3) for eight days and the second part was not fumigated. The sampling of nutmeg seeds was conducted at the beginning of storage and after four months of storage. The parameters observed were moisture content, percentage of damaged kernels, the population of each fungal species, and aflatoxin content. The results showed that moisture content, fungal population, aflatoxin B1, and total aflatoxin contents of nutmeg kernels having been dried by using the smoke- and oven-dried methods with and without fumigation still complied with the requirements related to food safety, although the nutmegs were stored for four months. The results of this research could also determine the Critical Control Point (CCP) in the postharvest handling process of nutmegs, i.e., 1) choosing only ripe nutmeg fruits to be harvested; 2) harvesting method by preventing the ripe nutmeg fruits from falling on the ground; 3) drying process of nutmeg seeds should be conducted immediately after separating the nutmegs from the maces by using the smoke- or oven-dried methods; and 4) nutmeg seeds were stored with the shells.

Yeasts and bacteria are two of common biocontrol agents to control mycotoxigenic fungi, meanwhile the mangosteen rind exract has xanthone and gartanin compounds for antioxidant, antiproliferation, antiinflammation, antimicrobial, and anticancer. The objectives of this research are to test the effects of yeasts, acetic acid bacteria (AAB), and mangosteen rind extract on the aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin production in unfermented cocoa beans. Four yeast isolates, i.e. Issatchenkia orientalis (Io) BIO 211291, 286 and 288, and Endomyces fibuliger (Ef) BIO 132219; one bacteria isolate of Acetobacter aceti (Aa) FNCC0016; and mangosteen rind extract (MRE) were tested for their capabilities in inhibiting an aflatoxigenic A. flavus (Af) BIO 3361/747 growth using the well method (in vitro). Two yeast (Io BIO 211291 and 288) were combined with Aa and MRE in cocoa beans (in vivo). Aflatoxin production was analyzed using Thin Layer Chromathography (TLC). The result showed that interaction of Io BIO 211291 and 288, and Ef BIO 132219 on aflatoxigenic Af were interaction with inhibition zone ≥ 2 mm (type D), while the interaction type of Io BIO 211286 on Af were mutual intermingling growth, where both fungi grew into each other without any macroscopic sign of interaction (type A). The best treatment in agar media (in vitro) was Io BIO 211288 + Aa on Potato Dextrose Agar + 12 g/l MRE. The highest Io population was 5.88 log cfu/g on cocoa beans inoculated by Io BIO 211291 + MRE in 1 day after inoculation, while the highest A. aceti population was 4.74 log cfu/g on cocoa beans with Io BIO 211291 + BIO 211288 + Aa in 3 days after inoculation. Two best treatments were Io BIO 211288 + Aa + MRE and Io BIO 211291 + BIO 211288 + Aa + MRE, because there were no A. flavus population since 3 until 11 days after inoculation. Aflatoxin in all samples treatment was lower than limit detection B1 (< 2.20 ppb), B2 (< 3.50 ppb), (G1 < 0.54 ppb), dan (G2 < 1.00 ppb).

In Southeast Asia, Indonesia is the second highest-producing country of coffee beans after Vietnam. Consequently, Indonesia competes with other countries in producing good quality coffee beans. However, not many people have sufficient skills in tackling problems related to the postharvest handling of these coffee beans. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) beans in terms of moisture content, fungal infection (especially ochratoxin A or OTA producing fungi), OTA contamination, and the taste of the coffee during storage. The three processing methods used were dry, wet, and semi-wet methods. The beans were packed using two types of packaging materials, i.e. Kantong Semar high gas barrier and polypropylene bags (4 kg/bag). They were then stored under warehouse conditions during 4 months of storage. The moisture content of coffee beans processed using the three methods and packed using polypropylene bags was higher than that of coffee beans packed using Kantong Semar high gas barrier; however, it was still lower than the safe moisture content for coffee determined by the Indonesian National Standard (12.5%). Aspergillus niger was found in coffee processed using the three methods and packed using a Kantong Semar high gas barrier. Its population was relatively low (< 0.1 x 10 cfu/g wet basis). Aspergillus ochraceus was found in coffee processed using dry and wet methods at the beginning of storage. Its population was also relatively low (< 0.3 x 10 cfu/g w.b. OTA content was not detected in all coffee samples, because it was lower than the detection limit of the instrument used (< 1.85 ppb). At the beginning of the storage, all coffee samples were dominated by yeast with the population of 1.9 x 102 – 1.2 x 103 cfu/g w.b. The taste of coffee in various treatments during 4 months of storage was still above the total standard score for specialty grade ≥ 80. The highest total score (84) was found in coffee beans processed using a dry method and packed in Kantong Semar high gas barrier. The three processing methods and the two types of packaging materials can be used to maintain the quality of coffee beans during 4 months of storage. Keywords: Arabica coffee beans, processing methods, quality, types of packaging materials

Indonesia is the world’s fourth-largest coffee producer after Brazil, Vietnam, and Columbia, in which one of its well-known coffee originates from the Toraja region, South Sulawesi. As such, Indonesia has to compete with these countries in producing good quality coffee beans. Consequently, this research aimed (a) to obtain information on the postharvest handling methods of Arabica coffee (C. arabica) beans in Tana Toraja, North Toraja Regencies, and Makassar Municipality, Indonesia, and (b) to investigate the occurrence of fungi (including ochratoxin A producing fungi) in stored Arabica coffee beans collected from various stages of the delivery chain. The data collection process included surveys, interviews, and sample collections conducted in May and July 2016 at each level of the delivery chain. The moisture content (MC) and the physical quality of the beans were also measured to determine its quality. Sixty-four (64) coffee bean samples were collected, consisting of 27 samples from the farmers, 15 samples from the collectors, 13 samples from the traders, and 9 samples from the exporters. The results showed that the moisture contents of coffee beans collected from the farmers and bean collectors (42.5%) were significantly higher than the maximum tolerable limit determined by the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) (13%), while the MC of the beans from the traders and exporters (9.7-10.9%) was significantly lower. Based on the total defective values, coffee beans from the farmers had more diverse grades (1-6) than those at other levels. Penicillium citrinum was the dominant fungus found in those beans collected from the farmers, collectors, and traders, while Aspergillus niger was the dominant fungus found in those beans from the exporters. At trader level, 46% of the samples were infected by Aspergillus ochraceus and A. niger, which are known as ochratoxin A (OTA) producing fungi. At exporter level, 44% of the samples were infected by A. ochraceus, while 78% of the samples were infected by A. niger. Thus, the postharvest handling methods conducted especially by farmers and collectors of Arabica coffee beans should be improved to reduce the moisture content and to increase the grade quality of the coffee beans.

Pest attack in nutmeg is a cause of major damage both in the field and in storage. Information on the diversity of pest insects in storage, harvesting methods, and good drying needs to be known to reduce the level of damage to nutmeg. This study aims to determine the diversity of insect pests and the percentage of nutmeg damage due to various postharvest treatments. Nutmeg was packed in jute bag and stored for four months under warehouse conditions. Each jute bag containing nutmeg is treated based on the origin of nutmeg (picked from a tree or picked up on the ground), drying method (sunshine or fogging), and shell or without shells with each treatment replicated three times. Sampling of numtag was conducted after four month to calculate the number of each insect species found, determine the insect population, and determine the percentage of damaged seeds. Four insect species were found in nutmeg kernels in almost various treatments. They were Araecerus fasciculatus ((Degeer) (Coleoptera: Anthribidae), Carpophilus dimidiatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae), and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The dominant species was A. fasciculatus. The percentage of damaged kernels derived from nutmeg kernels fallen on the ground, dried either using sun-drying or smoke-drying, either in-shell or without shell, were higher than the kernels derived from ripe fruitswith various treatments. The recommendation of this research result is good postharvest handling of nutmeg to prevent insect infestation should be conducted by collecting nutmeg derived from ripe fruits picked from the trees, nutmeg in-shell either sun-dried or smoke-dried, and storing nutmeg in-shell.

ABSTRACT Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) or fragrant nutmeg is an important commodity that has been used in food industry and medicine, hence its quality should be monitored. The objectives of the research were to obtain informations on the postharvest handling of nutmeg conducted by farmers, collectors and exporters in North Sulawesi province and to investigate the occurrence of fungi (included A. flavus) and aflatoxin contamination in stored nutmeg collected from farmers, collectors and exporters in North Sulawesi province. Moisture content and percentage of damaged kernels were also investigated, because they affect fungal infection. Surveys and obtaining samples of nutmeg in different points of the delivery chain were done in April and May 2013, in three regencies (North Minahasa, Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro) and Sangihe Talaud) and two cities (Bitung and Manado). Interviews were conducted during the surveys to collect informations on the postharvest handling of nutmeg in different points of the delivery chain. The total number of nutmeg samples collected from different point of the delivery chain was 76. It consisted of samples collected from farmers (25 samples), collectors (22), and exporters (29). The results showed that in general, the moisture content of nutmeg collected from North Sulawesi province was not higher than the maximum limit of moisture content determineted by SNI (10%). In general, nutmeg collected from farmers and collectors had high percentage of damaged kernels. Aspergillus niger and Endomyces fibuliger were the dominant fungi infecting nutmeg collected from farmers and collectors, while Eurotium repens was the dominant fungus infecting nutmeg collected from exporters. Aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin contents in nutmeg collected from farmers and exporters were relatively high. Based on the results of this study, the method of postharvest handling of nutmeg conducted by farmers, collectors and exporters in North Sulawesi province (North Minahasa, Sitaro and Sangihe Talaud regencies, Bitung and Manado cities) should be improved to minimize aflatoxin contamination.  Keywords : aflatoxin, fungi, Myristica fragrans Houtt., nutmeg, North Sulawesi province, delivery chain Â