**4. Conclusions**

The mycobiota of the studied products is similar to that reported by other studies, mostly consistent with mold species known to appear in peanuts, pecans, walnuts, and squash seeds. Morphological techniques were used to successfully

*Isolation and Identification of Molds in Selected Dried Fruits and Seeds Sold in Bulk in México DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99973*

identify both genus and species in a variety of molds, proving the value of traditional techniques even as PCR-based speciation becomes the norm. *Penicillium* subgenus *Penicillium* species, in particular, tend to be difficult to speciate thanks to their very similar morphology; however, it was possible to differentiate them with the use of the creatine-sucrose neutral medium. Of the identified species, several are known to produce toxins, while others are known as spoilage microorganisms of dried fruits and grains. Samples were obtained shelled and non-roasted; therefore, contamination is likely to have occurred during transportation, handling, and exhibition at the point of sale of the samples. This would indicate that more measures that are stringent are required for the sale of loose produce as to prevent potential health hazards to consumers. Further, more studies regarding the mycobiota of dried fruits, and in particular the mycobiota of squash seeds, are necessary to better understand the potential for disease vectoring and spoilage of this commodity.
