title: Aflatoxin contamination in stored rice variety PAU 201 collected from Punjab, India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was carried out on stored rice variety PAU 201 in Punjab that was not permitted for milling and public distribution due to the presence of damaged grains at levels exceeding the regulatory limits of 4.75 per cent. The aim of the study was to determine fungal and aflatoxin contamination in the rice samples to assess hazard from the presence of damaged grains. Presence of iron in discoloured rice grains was also assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stored samples of paddy of PAU 201 rice variety were collected from six districts of Punjab, milled and analysed for presence of fungal and aflatoxin contamination. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and Prussian blue staining was used to determine fungal spores and presence of iron, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aflatoxin analysis of rice samples indicated that none exceeded the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 tolerance limit of 30 μg/kg and majority of the samples had levels <15 μg/kg. The proportion of damaged grains exceeding the limit of 5 per cent was observed in 85.7 per cent of the samples. SEM and Prussian blue staining and EDX analysis of black tipped and pin point damaged rice grains did not show presence of fungal structures and presence of iron.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the study indicated that the stored rice samples did not pose any health concern with respect to aflatoxin contamination as per the criteria laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
authors.affiliation: Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Vasanthi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Siruguri
authors.forename: P Uday
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Raghu
authors.forename: M Vishnu Vardhana
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sesikeran
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Toteja
authors.forename: Priyanka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Spriha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Satyanarayana
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Katoch
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Bharaj
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Mangat
authors.forename: Neerja
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Sandhu
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Bhargav
authors.forename: Shobha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rani
mesh_terms: D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000032:analysis*; D005295:Ferrocyanides; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005516:Food Microbiology / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007194:India; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012275:Oryza / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000348:Aflatoxins; D005295:Ferrocyanides; C000170:ferric ferrocyanide