Rapid, Non-Invasive, and Early Warning Detection of Mycotoxigenic Aspergilli on Almonds and Pistachios in Holding, Storage, and Transit

Continue investigation of recently discovered volatile profile of germinating aspergilli spores on almond and pistachio, including volatile compounds unique to the germinating spores on these hosts; use volatile profile in conjunction with a portable GC-MS system to develop a near real time portable field volatile sampling device capable of early warning detection of aspergilli infected almond and pistachio; remove aflatoxin-producing aspergilli hot spots from almond and pistachio stockpiles and transit containers thus decreasing human health risks and product loss as a result of Aspergillus contamination.