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The effect of different packaging materials on deterioration of stored raw cashew seeds were investigated
under laboratory conditions. The packaging materials used included jute bag, nylon, tin, paper and Hessian
bag. Two hundred grammes of raw cashew seeds were kept in each of the packaging material for 16 weeks.
The parameters tested during the experiment included microbial growth / count,and moisture content.The
experiment was conducted at a temperature of28 20C and 78 2% relative humidity. Results showed that the
moisture content of samples in packaging materials such as jute bag, Hessian and tin reduced from 9.9%
(freshly dried nuts) to 7.6%, 8.1% and 8.7% respectively, while samples in paper and nylon increased from
9.9% to 10.4% and 10.8% respectively. Microbial analysis showed that high bacteria counts were observed
in samples stored in nylon, Hessian, paper and tin following that order while the least was recorded in
samples stored in jute bag. However, highest fungal count was recorded in nylon and the least in jute bag.
Test of possible growth of microorganisms on the seeds showed that the fungi isolated: Aspergillus
fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Mucor mucedo and Rhizopus stoloniferwere able to grow on the seeds while
the bacteria isolates: Bacillus kaustophilus, Bacillus subtilis, Branhamella cattarhalis, Enterobacter
aerogenes, Micrococcus luteus, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus, were unable to grow.The best
packaging material for raw cashew seeds were jute and Hessian bags and are suitable for warehousing and
transportation of cashew seeds.
Keywords: Cashew seeds (Anacardium occidentale), packaging materials, moisture content, microbial
growth, mouldiness.