Analysis and quantification of naturally occurring aflatoxin B1 in dry fruits with subsequent physical and biological detoxification
Hareem Shaukat Awan, Khuram Shahzad Ahmad, Shazia Iram, Nafeesa Qudsia Hanif, Mahwash Mahar Gul
Abstract
Current research involves extraction, identification and detoxification of mycotoxins from ten dry fruit samples. Mycotoxins were identified by high performance thin layer chromatography followed by physical and biological detoxification, analysed by HPLC. Three fungal species were observed after isolation including, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Fussarium sp. HP-TLC analysis revealed the presence of mycotoxin, aflatoxin B1 ranging from 0.000303–0.03636 mg/kg in all samples. Results were further analysed through various statistical tests. Detoxification methods proved to be cost effective and easily implementable. Concentration of aflatoxin B1 in pine nuts was reduced to 0.0043 mg/kg and 0.0039 mg/kg in dry dates through UV based detoxification. Solarisation reduced the concentration of aflatoxin B1 in figs to 0.0044 mg/kg. 90% aflatoxins were detoxified by UV treatment while Zingiber officinale powder detoxified 90% mycotoxin. This research concludes that the studied detoxification methods can be generalised on larger scale to benefit the dry fruit industry worldwide.