Title : Determination of aflatoxins (B1,B2,G1 and G2) in chili powder and cumin sold at traditional stores in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia
Abstract:
Aflatoxins are naturally occurring Mycotoxins produced by certain molds (fungi) and can be found in food. Mold growth can occur either before harvest or after harvest, during storage, on/in the food itself often under warm, damp and humid conditions. Aflatoxins are toxic and among the most carcinogenic substance after entering the body. The study aims to estimate and determine the level of contamination with aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1 & G2) in spices (chili and cumin), which are sold in traditional markets in Riyadh. Also aims to provide information that may help decision makers and risk assessors to identify the current situations of such stores in terms of the contamination levels of aflatoxins in the products. In Mar and Aug 2020, 49 samples of chili powder and 55 samples of cumin were collected from three different traditional markets in Riyadh city. All samples were coded and stored at 1-8°C until analysis. Samples were prepared and extracted with immunoaffinity column. The analysis was performed according to ISO 16050:2003 using HPLC-FLD. The results of chili powder and cumin samples for (total aflatoxins, B1, B2, G1 and G2) were (27 and 0.149, 25.1 and 0.063, 1.8 and 0.005, 0.022 and 0.056 and 0.016 and 0.019), respectively. In chili powder, AFB1 was the most detected toxin followed by AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2 (88%, 81.6%, 2.04%, and 2.04%), respectively. The highest AFB1 value was (241.4 μg/kg), followed by AFB2 (19.7 µg/kg), then AFG1 (1.1 µg/kg), and finally AFG2 toxin was detected in (0.76 µg/kg). In cumin, AFB1 was the most detected toxin followed by AFG1, AFB2, and AFG2 (9.09%, 9.09%, 5.4%, and 3.6%), respectively. The highest AFB1 value was (1.08 μg/kg), followed by AFG1 (0.827 µg/kg), then AFB2 (0.155 µg/kg), and finally AFG2 toxin was detected in (0.83 μg/kg). The study showed that some of the chili powder and cumin products sold in the traditional markets are contaminated with aflatoxins. Chili powder was most frequently contaminated with aflatoxins which requires close attention to such product
Audience Take Away:
- The study showed that some of the chili powder and cumin products sold in the traditional markets are contaminated
- Chili powder was most frequently contaminated with aflatoxins which requires close attention to such product
- Aims to provide information that may help decision makers and risk assessors to identify the current situations of such stores in terms of the contamination levels of aflatoxins in the products
