Abstract
The kernel of groundnut and groundnut-based products are easily contaminated by aflatoxin: a mycotoxin produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. A total of 526 samples of groundnut and groundnut-based products were collected from six states in Nigeria namely Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Benue States and analyzed for Aflatoxin B1 (AfB1) contamination using the Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. Results of the analysis revealed that both groundnut kernel and processed products had varying levels of AfB1 contamination. While AfB1 contamination levels varied between 7.82 and 12.33 µg/kg in kernels of local groundnut varieties, they ranged between 3.79 and 6.79 µg/kg in those of improved groundnut varieties. Mean AfB1 levels in groundnut-based products ranged from 12.30 to 99.37 µg/kg, with the highest recorded in kuli-kuli - a by-product of groundnut oil processing. Variability between mean AfB1 contamination levels in groundnut kernels of improved and local varieties were significant while no statistical difference was found between mean AfB1 contamination levels in groundnut kernels between/amongst the states. Outcomes of the study suggest that an integrated approach including the use of improved groundnut varieties, appropriate crop management practices and awareness creation on food safety, and notably on aflatoxin, could mitigate contamination in the groundnut value chain. Key words: Aflatoxin B1, prevalence, groundnut, distribution, Nigeria.
Highlights
Groundnut, is the edible kernel of the legume Arachis hypogea
About 91% of the samples had Aflatoxin B1 (AfB1) contamination levels up to 20 μg/kg, which are within the US and Nigeria limits for total aflatoxins in groundnut
Results of this study validate the presence of AfB1 in the kernels of both improved and local groundnut varieties in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Benue States of Nigeria
Summary
A combination of purposive and random sampling procedures was used to collect groundnut and groundnut-based products from different sites in five States of Northwestern Nigeria (Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto) and Benue State in North central Nigeria (Figure 1). At least 100 g of shelled groundnut of improved and local varieties were collected from farmers who hosted varietal demonstrations. Groundnut-based products were collected from vendors of these products in markets of local government areas (LGAs) of these states. Samples of improved groundnut kernel and local groundnut varieties were packaged and labeled by location.
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