Natural occurrence of Aflatoxins in commercial pepper in Iran

Abstract

During the period from September to November 2014, occurrences of Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, and G2 (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) were determined in 76 pepper samples consisting black pepper (n = 40) and red pepper (n = 36) obtained from local markets of Isfahan province, Iran. Aflatoxins' (AFs') analyses were carried out by using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. AFB1 levels in 32 (88.9%) of 36 red pepper samples were higher than the Iranian and European maximum permitted level (>5 µg/kg). Total AFs were detected in 41 out of 76 samples (53.9%) while 25 pepper samples (32.9%) had levels of the toxin above the Iranian and European permitted level, that is, 10 μg/kg. This study shows that incidence of AFs' contamination in red pepper in Iran was significantly higher than black pepper (p < .05) and indicates a serious hazard for human health.

Worldwide aflatoxin contamination of agricultural products and foods: From occurrence to control

“…In a survey conducted in Iran, aflatoxin was detected in 5 of 40 black pepper samples (12.5%) in levels ranging from 0.88 to 1.45 µg/kg. In the same study,100% of 36 red pepper samples were contaminated with aflatoxin ranging from 4.22 to 28.6 µg/kg (Barani et al., 2016). In another survey conducted in India, aflatoxin was detected in 78.1% of 55 black pepper samples contaminated with total aflatoxins with average amount of 320 ppb (Jeswal & Kumar, 2015a).…”

A Systematic Meta-Analysis of Aflatoxin B1 Presence in Red Pepper

“…AFB1 maximum limit for spices in Iran, Korea and Japan are respectively; 5, 10 and 10 µg/kg (FAO, 2003). In the study conducted in Iran according to Table 1, AFB1 was detected in 100% of the red pepper spice samples with an average concentration of 15.51 µg/kg (Barani et al, 2016). In the study conducted in Japan, AFB1 in red pepper spice was found at an average concentration of 0.17 µg/kg (Sugita-Konishi et al, 2010).…”

“…In studies where such mean can be calculated, means and standard deviations are calculated and used (Colak et al, 2006;Cavus et al, 2018). The studies at which the mean and standard deviation were not given or calculated were not used in calculating the mean concentration (Barani et al, 2016;Ozturk, 2017;Sugita-Konishi et al, 2010;Tosun & Arslan, 2013). When these results are added, the average AFB1 content is calculated as 6.61 (µg/kg).…”

“…In addition, it is shown that the maximum AFB1 concentration limits specified in the legislation for spices are exceeded in some countries based on red pepper products. The AFB1 concentration in the red chilli peppers that are sold in Turkey extensively vary from sample to sample (Barani et al, 2016;Colak et al, 2006;Kilic S et al, 2018;Tosun & Arslan, 2013). This is primarily attributed to drying formation and storage stages of the plant.…”

Assessment of Quality of &lt;i&gt;Artemisia afra&lt;/i&gt; Powder Used as Antimalarial in Tanzania

“…The chromatographic separation was performed on a Discovery C18 HPLC column (5 µm particle size, 250 mm× 4.6 mm) protected with a Discovery C18 Supelguard column (5 µm particle size, 20 mm× 4.6 mm). The post-column derivatization of AFs was carried out by using a Kobra cell electrochemical bromine system [10]. About 25 ±0.10 g of tested sample with addition of 70:30 methanol: water extraction solvents were mixed into the flask of 250 mL.…”