Moisture content (MC) and aflatoxin contamination were analysed to determine Red Chilli quality. A wide range (9.1-19.8%) of MC with a mean value of 11.4 ± 2.4% was found. Of 116 chilli samples, about 37% had low MC (<10%), 29.4% had medium-low MC (10-12%), 18.9% had medium-high MC (12 < MC < 14%) and 14.7% were above 14%. These four chilli groups had average aflatoxin levels of 2.1 ± 1.1, 5.3 ± 4.2, 8.9 ± 5.9 and 37 ± 20 µg/Kg, respectively. A direct relationship between moisture and aflatoxin content was found. The data best fitted a polynomial trend (R² = 0.89). The obtained equation could be utilised to assess aflatoxin levels based on MC. This study highlights the importance of using properly dried chillies with low MC, that is, ≤10%, to minimise health hazards associated with aflatoxin contamination.

A major challenge in post-harvest protection of chilies is its rapid drying to prevent quality deterioration as a result of fungal contamination. The speed and efficiency of drying is crucial as the improper and prolonged drying may eventually initiate the buildup of mycotoxins. This research demonstrated levels of aflatoxin in samples at different stages of drying with the objective to assess the efficiency of the common practice of on-farm sun drying in Pakistan. The results indicated that there was no significant pre-harvest contamination of aflatoxins in chilies grown at different locations under study. Sun drying of the harvested chilies over a post drying stage reduced average moisture content from 69.70% to 9.87%, but also led to a gradual increase in the level of aflatoxins. The correlation between the observed increase in aflatoxin levels and the length of the drying period was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05) at all the locations investigated. The implications of the findings are discussed in relation to optimizing the post-harvest drying process to minimize the levels of aflatoxin in chilies.

Present study was conducted to investigate the levels and persistence of imidacloprid residues in wheat grains and straw of field crop samples grown from treated seed and foliar application. Objective of the study was to assess the best practices that may be used to produce safe grains and straw. Residual uptake of imidacloprid was measured after seed treatments at four dosage levels of seed. Each sample of 25g treated seed was sown in a separate 5ft2 plot.The absorption of imidacloprid residues was investigated by spraying the crops with 1ml and 5ml of 6 mgmL-1 solution of 200SL Confidor (imidacloprid). The results helped in determining the maximum allowable limits of imidacloprid application (foliar or seed treatment) on wheat, which would prevent the residues from exceeding the MRL. The quantitative determination of imidacloprid suggested that the lowest seed treatment level (i.e. 0.015g/25g seed) may be used to produce a residues-free crop.

Evaluation of the suitability of surfaces for sun drying is important to prevent the AFs contamination in any produce. Proper drying can reduce the post‐harvest losses. The study was conducted to determine suitable surfaces for chili drying and the relationship between physical appearance of pods and AFs content to aid management decisions during drying and storage. Chilies dried on ten different surfaces were found to result in varied levels of AFs of between 3.14 and 6.46 ng/g. Chili pods dried on green net (either on or above the ground) for sun drying gave best control of AFs production with lower levels compared to other surfaces. Meanwhile, the AF level in damaged pods (10.11 ± 3.54 ng/g) is three times higher than the AF level, i.e., 3.02 ± 1.17 ng/g in intact pods. The research study concludes that proper drying surface and sorting of pods can minimize the rejections by quality monitoring and trade authorities. Novelty impact statement The outcome of the present study will help develop better practices and guidelines for the drying of chilies utilizing existing sun drying facilities for the control of aflatoxin contamination. Outcomes of the present study along with similar work on, e.g., Brazil nuts, would serve as a model that could be applied to other crops under risk of aflatoxin contamination such as rice, maize, nuts, and stone fruit. In addition, the results of the project will contribute to the health, wellbeing, and wealth of producers and consumers. The parent xlsx file has also been attached along with this manuscript.