EVALUATION OF MOULD AND TOTAL AFLATOXIN CONTENT IN RAW AND PROCESSED GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L.) PRODUCTS FROM AN EXTENSIVE AGRARIAN STATE IN CENTRAL-NIGERIA.

Abstract

Fifty-four samples of groundnut products (including control and purchased) were collected from several locations in Benue State-Nigeria and assessed for total Aflatoxins (TAF) using Direct Competitive Enzymes-linked Immunosorbent Assay method (ELISA). Microbial isolation, identification and estimation was made for all samples. The results implied that TAF were detected in 100 % of the groundnut products. The highest incidence of TAF occurred in the paste (6.30 -10.26 µg/kg) followed by oil (0.53- 8.00 µg/kg) and cake (0.36-3.00 µg/kg). These levels were however below the 20 μg/kg maximum permissible limits (MPL) set by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria and the 10 μg/kg limit of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). In addition, the results showed a strong positive correlation between the moisture content and the concentration of aflatoxin. Mould count/isolation results identified a total of 305 isolates with Aspergillus flavus having an occurrence of 137 (44.92 %) being the major isolate among others. There was no significant difference in the levels of total aflatoxin between the processed and purchased groundnut samples. The TAF reported in these products are likely to be infiltrated from raw groundnuts from the farm, during storage or handling. This paper is the first in the study area that documents the importance in routine check for aflatoxin content in groundnut products which is vital in reducing chances of aflatoxin poisoning from these products.