Occurrence of aflatoxin B1 in food products derivable from ‘egusi’ melon seeds consumed in southwestern Nigeria

• Published in: Food control 2010-07, Vol.21 (7), p.974-976
• Main Authors: Bankole, Samuel A., Adenusi, Adedotun A., Lawal, O.S., Adesanya, O.O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aflatoxin B1; Aspergillus flavus; Aspergillus parasiticus; Egusi melon; Egusi soup; Ogiri; Robo
• ISSN: 0956-7135; 1873-7129
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2009.11.014

Aflatoxin, the toxic secondary metabolite of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus has been considered as one of the most serious food safety problems in sub Saharan Africa. Egusi melon seeds is susceptible to these fungal infection during postharvest. Therefore, the content of aflatoxin B1 in three food products derivable from ‘egusi’ melon seeds ogiri’ (fermented melon seed condiment), ‘robo’ (melon ball snacks) and egusi soup destined for human consumption in Nigeria in 2005 and 2006 were determined. Aflatoxin B1 was analysed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) with fluorescent detection. The percentage of samples positive for aflatoxin B1 were for 25% robo, 31.8% for ogiri, and 19.5% for ‘egusi’ soup. Aflatoxin B1 ranged from 2.3 to 15.4 ppb in all samples. The overall mean levels of aflatoxin B1 were for 8.9 ppb for ogiri, 9.7 ppb for ‘robo’ and 7.2 ppb for ‘egusi soup’. All positive melon seeds derived food products analysed in this study contained aflatoxin B1 at concentrations much lower than the 20 ppb permissible limit recommended in Nigerian food and suggests that melon seed derived foods present less risk by human exposure to aflatoxin through their consumption. However, it is important to consider these levels in terms of their contribution to overall daily exposure to aflatoxin levels in food. This is the first report of aflatoxin determination in melon seed food products.