Aflatoxin analysis by LC-MS of local and imported black tea sold in Turkey

Abstract

Tea is a popular drink throughout the world with known health benefits. Although it has been accepted as safe and healthy for centuries, recent research has reported that herbal tea could be contaminated by fungi and mycotoxins. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of total aflatoxin and aflatoxin B1 in local and imported tea sold in the southeastern and eastern provinces of Turkey. A total of 79 samples were taken from tea originating from Turkey (Mardin; 7, Şırnak; 3, Van; 15, Diyarbakır; 13, Siirt; 9, Batman; 4, Gaziantep; 14, Kilis; 4, and Şanlıurfa; 10), Iran, Sri Lanka, and India. Analysis of the content of the samples was made in respect of total aflatoxin and aflatoxin B1 using the Rapid Common Mass Spectrometry method (2006; 20: 2649-2659) with an LC-MS/MS device. The analyses were performed in an advanced, private, EU-accredited laboratory. According to the results obtained from the LC-MS/MS device, no total aflatoxin or aflatoxin B1 was determined. That no aflatoxins were detected in the tea samples demonstrates that the harvesting, processing, drying and packaging stages of the local and imported teas sold in the southeast Anadolu and South Anadolu regions of Turkey are applied appropriately. These types of analyses should be applied in other regions to determine the presence of aflatoxin in tea in general in Turkey.