Evaluation of the sanitary quality of peanut butters from Mali: Identification and quantification of Aflatoxins and pathogens

Abstract

InMali, peanut remains a major oilseed crops and constitutes in various forms avery important source of fat and protein for the Malian people. Despite theimportance of peanut butters in the diet in Mali and the potential danger ofits high consumption under certain conditions, little information exists inMali on the quantities and qualities of aflatoxins, microbial contaminant andheavy metals present in peanut butters. The occurrence of aflatoxins, pathogensand heavy metals and microorganisms, mainly pathogenic bacteria, in 36 peanutbutters from Mali was assessed and their microbial and toxicological qualitydetermined. Aflatoxin B1 was found in 90% of the peanut butters tested at 2.34to 189.34 µg/g of peanut butter). 50% of peanut samples analyzed exceeded themaximum allowable limit of aflatoxin B1. No sample was found to contain leadand Cadmium, the two heavy metals determined. Peanut butters from Kati were thecontaminated with Salmonella and fecal coliforms, while no Salmonella or fecalcoliform were detected in samples from Bamako. Fecal streptococci were notdetected in ant peanut butter sample. Contrary, fungi and yeasts are present inall peanuts butter samples from Bamako and Kati. Significant positivecorrelation between grain types and the population of fungi were observed.Contrary, a negative correlation was observed between grain types and yeasts.No lead or Cadmium was detected in the peanut butter samples from Mali.