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Aflatoxin B1 Contamination of Traditionally Processed Peanuts Butter for Human Consumption in Sudan

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Abstract

A survey was carried out to detect the presence of aflatoxin B1 in 60 duplicated samples (120 samples) of peanuts butter purchased from the local markets and other traditionally prepared and distributed by the street sellers in Khartoum state, Sudan. AflaTest-P affinity column was used to extract the toxin from the samples, and the concentration was measured by calibrated Vicam fluorometer. Aflatoxin B1 was detected at variable levels in 100% of the screened samples. Traditionally prepared samples showed the highest incidence of aflatoxin B1 which is above the internationally regulated tolerance levels (5–20 ppb). The means and the ranges of the aflatoxin B1 recovered were as follows: 63.9 ppb (29–128 ppb), 54.5 ppb (21–131 ppb) and 101 ppb (17–170 ppb) for samples collected from Khartoum, Khartoum North and Omdurman areas, respectively. Samples from retail stores presented relatively low aflatoxin B1 incidences 14.5 ppb (1–57 ppb), but only 30% of the samples revealed aflatoxin level below 10 ppb. Laboratory segregated and carefully prepared butter from good grade nuts showed the lowest levels of this toxin (3.3 ppb; 2–6 ppb). The results showed that peanuts butter prepared by the street sellers and distributed by the retail stores are evidently hazardous to human health. There is therefore urgent need for strong form of quality control measures and public awareness. The use of excellent grade peanuts and care during processing and storage are priority.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by Sudanese Standard and Metrology Organization. We thank staff of Faculty of Public and Environmental Health, Khartoum University, and Sudanese Standard and Metrology Organization for the use of these facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Public and Environmental Health, Department of Food Hygiene and Safety, University of Khartoum, P.O. Box 321, Postal Code 1115, Khartoum, Sudan

    Sana Z. B. Elshafie

  2. Food Research Center, Khartoum, Sudan

    Abdullah ElMubarak

  3. Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Nizwa University, P.O. Box 33, Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa, Postal Code 616, Sultanate of Oman

    Saifeldin A. F. El-Nagerabi

  4. Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 36, AlKhoudh, Postal Code 123, Sultanate of Oman

    Abdulkadir E. Elshafie

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  1. Sana Z. B. Elshafie
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  2. Abdullah ElMubarak
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  3. Saifeldin A. F. El-Nagerabi
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  4. Abdulkadir E. Elshafie
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Correspondence to Saifeldin A. F. El-Nagerabi.

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Elshafie, S.Z.B., ElMubarak, A., El-Nagerabi, S.A.F. et al. Aflatoxin B1 Contamination of Traditionally Processed Peanuts Butter for Human Consumption in Sudan. Mycopathologia 171, 435–439 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-010-9378-2

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