Abstract
In the last decade, there have been an increase in safety concerns on the aflatoxins contents of cereals and cereal-derived food products in Nigeria. In the current study, evaluation of aflatoxins levels and molecular identification of toxigenic molds recovered from cereals and cereal-derived foods products in Nigeria were studied. Enzyme Link Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods were used for qualitative and quantitative aflatoxins evaluation, respectively. The result showed that aflatoxins were detected in 53 out of the 120 samples of the cereals and their products studied. The detected levels of aflatoxins in some of the samples were over the permissible (4 μg/kg) as recommended by relevant food regulatory authorities. Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 were all detected in the sample, aflatoxin B1 was the most predominant in the samples. Aspergillus flavus (AZ19), was isolated and identified as the major contaminating mold. Thus, findings of this research provide strong evidence that incidence of aflatoxins contamination of food crops still remain a major problem in Nigeria agricultural sector. Key words: Aflatoxins, toxigenic molds, cereals, cereal-derived foods, Aspergillus flavus.
Highlights
Aflatoxins are toxic chemical compounds produced in foods and food products by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus
The prevalence of aflatoxins contamination of cereals and cereals derived food products in Africa is due to improper post-harvest handling and/or storage in addition to the inability to control environmental factors that promotes the growth of the toxigenic mold and mycotoxins production (Gong et al, 2003; Beuchat, 2002; Burger et al, 2013)
The findings of the current study revealed that the cereals and cerealbased foods studied were contaminated by Aspergillus spp. (Figure 1)
Summary
Aflatoxins are toxic chemical compounds produced in foods and food products by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These mycotoxins have been shown to induce both genotoxic and carcinogenic effects in humans (EFSA, 2007). Incidences of aflatoxins contamination of cereals and associated food products are more prevalent in developing countries such as Africa compared to Europe (EFSA, 2013; Wagacha and Muthomi, 2008). The prevalence of aflatoxins contamination of cereals and cereals derived food products in Africa is due to improper post-harvest handling and/or storage in addition to the inability to control environmental factors (high temperature, high relative humidity and moisture content) that promotes the growth of the toxigenic mold and mycotoxins production (Gong et al, 2003; Beuchat, 2002; Burger et al, 2013).
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