@article{Coulibaly:231371,
      recid = {231371},
      author = {Coulibaly, Adama and Dembele, Ardjouma and Biego, Henri  Marius Godi and Silue, Nahoule and Toure, A. Abba},
      title = {Evolution of the Merchantability and the Level of  Ochratoxin A of Ivorian Cocoa Beans from Production Areas  during the Harvest Season},
      journal = {Sustainable Agriculture Research},
      address = {2012},
      number = {526-2016-37821},
      year = {2012},
      abstract = {This study aims to investigate the evolution, throughout  the harvest season, of merchantability criteria and  Ochratoxin A (OTA) levels in cocoa beans produced in Cote  d'Ivoire. To this end, 567 samples of cocoa beans,  collected in 6 production areas during the 2007-2008  season, were analyzed. Merchantability and OTA levels were  determined respectively according to the Ivorian Coffee and  Cocoa stock exchange standards and the European Community  regulation related to the analytical methods for the  control of mycotoxins levels in foodstuffs (EC 401/2006).  Concerning merchantability, a significant difference at 5%  risk was revealed between the values of moisture, graining  and grades. As regards OTA levels, the concentrations  obtained ranged from 0.41 µg/kg to 1.36 µg/kg of cocoa  beans with an average concentration of 0.69 µg/kg. These  concentrations are all below the maximum value set at 2  µg/kg by the European Commission. Moldy and/or slaty beans  are chiefly answerable for the depreciation of cocoa beans  marketability. These results served to devise a map  summarizing the quality of Ivorian cocoa beans. Needless to  say, this map is just a representation of a situation at a  given time, and should therefore contribute to take up  decisions relevant to the application of good production  and postharvest processing practices in the country’s quest  for cocoa beans of prime quality.},
      url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/231371},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.231371},
}