Survey of Aflatoxin Contamination in Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Aflatoxins are highly toxic, hepatocarcinogenic, secondary metabolites of Aspergillus species produced in most agricultural commodities stored at inappropriate temperatures and water activities. The aim of the present paper was to analyse the levels and frequency of aflatoxin contamination in samples of most commonly consumed agricultural commodities collected from various regions of the country.

Methods: A total of 595 food samples collected from Southern Peoples Nations and Nationalities, Oromia and Harari Regional States were collected and screened for aflatoxin contamination. Commodities sampled included barley, wheat, maize, millet, sorghum, tef, pepper, peanut, broad beans and dry peas. Aflatoxins B, and G, were the only mycotoxins detected in the food samples.

Results: Aflatoxin B, was the predominant form, the incidence of samples containing it was 30% and then accompanied by aflatoxinG, 6%. The highest levels of aflatoxin B was observed in peanut and sorghum samples (738 and 692 jgkg, respectively). The highest level of aflatoxin G found was 2014 gkg. Groundnut, sorghum and millet samples have been identified as high-risk commodities based on the incidence rate of aflatoxin contamination. Levels of total aflatoxin greater than 20 ygkg, were most frequently encountered in all aflatoxin positive samples of corn, sorghum, wheat, red pepper and peanut followed by barley (17%) and teff (13%).

Conclusion: The presence of aflatoxins in commonly consumed foods emphasize a public health concern and the need to develop mycotoxin prevention and control strategies in Ethiopia.