First report on the presence of aflatoxins in fig seed oil and the efficacy of adsorbents in reducing aflatoxin levels in aqueous and oily media

Abstract

Aflatoxin contamination of dried figs has been a chronic problem for decades but aflatoxin distribution within the fruit has not yet been revealed. In this study, we conducted aflatoxin analyses separately in the seedless part of dried figs and in fig seed oil. The results showed that both seedless part and seed oil were contaminated with aflatoxins at levels close to the regulatory limits set for products for direct consumption. Effectiveness of various adsorbents in removing aflatoxins from aqueous and oily compartments of the fruit and the effects of these treatments on bioactive compounds and physicochemical characteristics were also investigated.

Keywords:

• Dried fig
• mycotoxin distribution
• adsorption
• decontamination
• aflatoxin

Acknowledgement

The authors special thanks go to Professor Fatih Sen from Ege University for his valuable contributions to the work.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest relevant to this study.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by Scientific Research Project Foundation of Pamukkale University [Project # 2019FEBE012].