Aflatoxins in sunflower seeds and unrefined sunflower oils from Singida, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

A total of 61 samples comprising sunflower seeds (40) and unrefined sunflower oils (21) samples collected randomly from Singida, Tanzania were analysed by Reverse Phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). 15% (6/40) of the seed samples were contaminated with aflatoxin B₁ ranging from limit of detection (LOD) to 218 ng g⁻¹ with three of them exceeding the European Commission/European Union (EC/EU) and Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS)/Tanzania Food and Drug Authority (TFDA) maximum limits of 2 ng g⁻¹ for AFB₁ in oilseeds. The levels of total aflatoxins (AFT) in seeds ranged from LOD to 243 ng g⁻¹. Other aflatoxins, except AFG₂, were also detected. For the unrefined sunflower oils, the levels of AFB₁ ranged from LOD to 2.56 ng mL⁻¹. About 80.9% (17/21) of the analysed oil samples contained AFB₁ of which 17.65% (3/17) exceeded the EC/EU and TBS/TFDA maximum limits of 2 ng mL⁻¹. Other aflatoxins were also detected in the oils. The measured levels indicate there is a need for food quality education among food processors.

KEYWORDS:

• Aflatoxin B₁
• B₂
• G₁
• G₂
• Singida
• sunflower seeds
• Tanzania
• total aflatoxin
• unrefined sunflower oils

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the TFDA for supporting sample analysis in their laboratories and highly appreciate the technical assistance of both TFDA and the University of Dar es Salaam staff.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.