Aflatoxins contamination and prevention in red chillies (Capsicum annuum L.) in Pakistan.
During 2006-2011, 331 red chilli samples (226 whole, 69 powdered and 36 crushed) were collected from all over Pakistan for the estimation of total aflatoxins (AFs = AFB1 + AFB2 + AFG1 + AFG2) contamination by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Mean AFs levels in whole, powdered and crushed chillies were 11.7, 27.8 and 31.2 µg kg(-1), respectively. AFs levels in 62.4% of whole, 26.1% of powdered and 19.4% of crushed chillies were found lower than the maximum limit (ML = 10 µg kg(-1)) as assigned by the European Union. Furthermore, whole (27.9%), powdered (28%) and crushed (27.8%) chillies showed AFs contamination which ranged between 10 and 20 µg kg(-1). However, 9.7% of whole, 46% of powdered and 52.8% of crushed chillies showed AFs levels beyond the ML of 20 µg kg(-1) as assigned by the USDA. It was concluded that AFs contamination in chillies requires further investigation, monitoring and routine analysis. Furthermore, proper harvesting, drying, handling, storage and transport conditions need to be employed.
a Food and Feed Safety Laboratory , Food and Marine Resources Research Centre, PCSIR Laboratories Complex , Karachi , Pakistan.
Mobeen Ahmed
MA
Khan
Muhammad Asif
MA
Asghar
Javed
J
Iqbal
Aftab
A
Ahmed
Zuzzer Ali
ZA
Shamsuddin
D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000032:analysis*; D002212:Capsicum / Q000737:chemistry*; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010154:Pakistan; D012015:Reference Standards
D000348:Aflatoxins
Pakistan; aflatoxins; contamination; red chillies; thin layer chromatography (TLC)