First Report of Aflatoxin in Dried Yam Chips in Benin

Abstract

Dried yam (Dioscorea spp.) chips are widely consumed in Bénin but are often attacked by molds. Invasion of food by Aspergillus flavus may lead to aflatoxin contamination. We report here the result of a survey on the sanitary quality of dried yam chips in Bénin. During July and August 2000, 50 dried yam chips samples were collected from different points in the marketing chain; 10 samples were collected from each of 5 stages: producers, wholesalers, retailers, dried yam-based food sellers and consumers. Aflatoxin content was assayed by the bio-luminescence method (1) after methanol/water extraction. Aflatoxins were detected in all dried yam chip samples, with levels ranging from 2.2 to 200 ppb and a mean value of 14 ppb. An aflatoxin concentration higher than the European Union's maximum residue limit (MRL) of 4 ppb was found in 98% of the samples (N = 50), while 6% had an aflatoxin concentration higher than the World Health Organization's MRL of 20 ppb. Molds were analyzed from two samples, each with aflatoxin levels around 5 ppb, on colony unit medium specific for A. flavus (2). Aspergillus spp. were detected in the inner part of dried yam chips of both samples, with a mean level of 9,000 CFU/g. Fusarium colonies were also present but were not identified to species. References: (1) D. Champiat and J. Larpent. Bio-chimie-luminescence: Principes et Applications. Masson, Paris, France. 1993. (2) P. J. Cotty. Mycopathologia 125:157, 1994.

Aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination of yam flour from markets in Nigeria

“…The AF presence is in agreement with previous surveys by Bankole and Adebanjo (2003), Bankole and Mabekoje (2004), and Jimoh and Kolapo (2008), who reported occurrence of AFs in yam chips in Nigeria, and by Bassa et al (2001) and Mestres et al (2004) who reported AFs in yam chips in Benin Republic.…”

“…Jimoh and Kolapo (2008) also detected aflatoxins B 1 and G 1 in yam chips from Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria with mean concentrations of 14 and 17 mg kg À1 respectively. The presence of AFs has also been reported in yam chips from Benin Republic (Bassa et al, 2001;Mestres et al, 2004).…”

Mycoflora and absence of aflatoxin contamination of commercialized cassava chips in Benin, West Africa

“…This is a common traditional method employed in Benin during the dry season (OctobereApril), especially in the Central and Northern regions of the country (Gnonlonfin et al, 2008). However the chips are still subject to attack by fungi such as Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillum (Bassa, Mestre, Hell, Vervia, & Cardwell, 2001;Gnonlonfin et al, 2008;Wareing et al, 2001). Fungal contamination can lead to mycotoxin production e.g.…”

“…Aflatoxins have been reportedly detected in among others a wide range of spices including black pepper, ginger, red paprika and cumin as reviewed by McKee (1995), in dried fruits from Yemen (Alghalibi & Shater, 2004), in diseased fresh tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) from Sokoto, Nigeria (Muhammad, Shedu, & Amusa, 2004), and in shelled melon seeds from Nigeria (Bankole, Ogunsanwo, Osho, & Adewuyi, 2006). Bassa et al (2001) showed that Aspergillus colonized yam chips and they found that 98% of samples of yam chips were contaminated with aflatoxins with levels ranging from 2.2 to 220 mg/kg. A recent study conducted in Nigeria similarly reported the contamination of locally dried yam chips called elubo isu with aflatoxin B 1 (Bankole & Mabekoje, 2004).…”

Aflatoxin Contamination in Foods and Feeds: A Special Focus on Africa

“…Higher prevalence and contents of AF are observed in yam based products than in cassava products. Apart from the 100% frequency (Table 1) shown in Yam chips from Benin (Bassa et al 2009), 23% of the 107 samples analyzed by Mestres et al (2004) from the same country had AF levels over the 15 μg/kg CODEX standard value for total AF. AFB 1 and G 1 were detected in yam chips from Nigeria at levels ranging from 5-27µg/kg (Jimoh and Kolapo, 2008).…”