Aflatoxin contamination of Virginia peanuts for the crop-years 1982–1986

• Published in: International biodeterioration 1988, Vol.24 (4), p.399-407
• Main Authors: Llewellyn, G.C., O'Rear, C.E., Sherertz, P.C., Ananaba, G., McWright, C.G., Dashek, W.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: aflatoxins; Biological and medical sciences; Fat industries; food contamination; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; peanuts; regression analysis
• ISSN: 0265-3036
• DOI: 10.1016/0265-3036(88)90027-9

To establish those environmental conditions which promote the growth of aflatoxin (AFT)-producing Aspergillus spp. on peanuts, a four-year (1982–1986) investigation was undertaken to examine possible relationships between air temperature (AT), precipitation (P), and AFT contamination of stored nuts. The mean percentages of nuts that possessed various AFT levels for the years 1982–1986 (June–July) ranged from 74·2 to 88·0 for 0–4 ppb, 6·3 to 14·9 for 5–15 ppb, 2·4 to 5·9 for 16–25 ppb, 2·3 to 6·4 for 26–100 ppb, and 0 to 4·7 for > 100 ppb. The mean percentages for the years which exceeded USDA/FDA regulations were 7·1 (1982–1983), 7·6 (1983–1984), 11·6 (1984–1985), and 17·0 (1985–1986). Examination of the mean percentage > 15 ppb for each month during these four years revealed that the following months fell within that range; Septtember, November, December, January, February, and May (1982–1983); July, October, April, and June (1983–1984); August, and June, (1984–1985); and July, April, and May (1985–1986). Comparisons of pooled-AFT levels, rainfall, and temperature over four years suggested a ‘better fit’ between mean monthly P and mean percentage AFTs > 15 ppb, than between the latter and mean monthly AT. However, application of a predictor equation suggested a correlation between AFT levels and monthly AT.