Physico-chemical characteristics and aflatoxins production of Atractylodis Rhizoma to different storage temperatures and humidities

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics, moisture contents, chemical fingerprints changes and aflatoxins accumulation of Atractylodis rhizoma during storage, further to determine the optimum temperature and relative humidity conditions. Based on the suitable temperature (20–40 °C) and relative humidity (80–95%), 13 different temperature and humidity conditions were set up by the central composite design-response surface methodology (CCD-RSM) for Aspergillus flavus. After inoculation with Aspergillus flavus by artificial infection, A. rhizoma samples were stored under normal conditions and 13 different temperature and relative humidity levels. By taking the changes of characteristics, the contents of moisture, chemical fingerprints and aflatoxins as the evaluation indexes for A. rhizoma with or without Aspergillus flavus fungi to optimize the optimal storage conditions. After storage for 10 days, the color of A. rhizoma was deepened, the water content and chemical composition increased, and some unknown components were detected. The susceptible condition for aflatoxins production in A. rhizoma was identified at temperature 22–37 °C and relative humidity over 87.5%. Thus, the suitable storage conditions for A. rhizoma should be controlled at temperature below 20 °C and relative humidity less than 85%. This paper screened out the optimum temperature and humidity for the storage of A. rhizoma. Then, the storage specification for A. rhizoma was proposed, lying technical and data support for the scientific preservation of other food or herbs. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13568-021-01316-3.