Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in maize of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Aflatoxin and ochratoxin levels were determined in maize samples collected from store houses of 15 districts belonging to three agro-ecological zones of Punjab, Pakistan. Toxins were extracted by Aflaochra immunoaffinity columns and analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Mean moisture content of maize kernels was recorded above the safe storage level of 15%. Results indicated that aflatoxin B1 and B2 contamination was found in 97.3% and 78.9% of the collected samples, respectively. Aflatoxin G1, aflatoxin G2 and ochratoxin A were not detected in any sample. Among positive samples, 77.3% contained aflatoxin B1 and 28% aflatoxin B2, exceeding the legal limits as set by the European Union (EU) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). It was concluded that a significant number of samples contained aflatoxin B1 and B2 above the legal limits.

Occurrence and Seasonal Variations of Aflatoxin M1 in Milk from Punjab, Pakistan

“…In another study conducted in Pakistan by Asi, Iqbal, Ariño and Hussain [39], higher levels of AFM 1 were documented in the winter season compared to the summer season, with significant difference ( p < 0.05). The present study results are in exact agreement with previous studies conducted in Pakistan [15,22,27,31,35,56], where they reported higher contamination of milk with AFM 1 in the winter season. The present study found high levels of AFM 1 contamination in milk samples collected in the autumn season (0.751 μg/L) after winter (0.875 μg/L); hence, the results are in agreement with those of Aslam, et al [57], who reported significantly higher AFM 1 levels in milk during the autumn season (2.60 μg/L).…”

“…Hence, the Southern region is at the height of 400 ft, with a hot and dry climate, whereas the Northern region is around 2000 ft above the sea level and generally ambient and moist. The level of AFM 1 was highly correlated with the topography [35] of the country, as indicated by the findings that contamination (%) was the highest in the Northern region and kept on decreasing, moving through to the Southern region (Figure 2).…”

Exposure and risk characterizations of ochratoxins A and aflatoxins through maize (Zea mays) consumed in different agro-ecological zones of Ghana

“…Likewise, AFB 1 and AFtotal in this study. These observations corroborate the findings of some previous researchers 63 , 64 , 66 , 82 . The co-existence of two or more fungi and their subsequent mycotoxin production in an environment suggests a possible non-antagonistic metabolite interaction, Moreover, the probable effect of combined exposure to aflatoxins with other mycotoxins in foodstuffs could be additive or antagonistic.…”

“…Makun et al 65 reported that samples of maize showed the highest levels of OTA were in the range of ND to 139.2 μg/kg in Nigeria. Conversely, Iram et al 66 did not detect ochratoxins in maize samples obtained from Punjab, Pakistan. Adebajo et al 67 also detected OTA in corn-based snacks in Nigeria only at toxicologically significant levels.…”

Natural Occurrence of Mycotoxins in Food and Feed: Pakistan Perspective

“…Aflatoxigenic and ochratoxigenic molds were isolated from maize and maize gluten meal samples from Faisalabad district of Punjab (Saleemi and others ). In a recent study, AFB 1 and AFB 2 occurrence was observed in 97.3% and 78.9% maize samples, respectively, collected from store houses in Punjab province (Iram and others ). Significant numbers of samples contained exceeding levels of AFB 1 and AFB 2 , but all samples were found free of AFG 1 , AFG 2 , and OTA.…”