Occurrence of aflatoxins in peanuts and peanut products consumed in the State of São Paulo/Brazil from 1995 to 1997

Abstract

One hundred and thirty seven samples of peanuts and peanut containing foods were collected in markets in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, between January 1995 an December 1997. Most of the samples were collected by the Inspection Service of São Paulo Secretary of Health. The foods included raw peanuts, peanut candies (paçoca and pé de moleque), peanut butter, fried/roasted salted peanuts, torrone, chocolate coated peanuts and saltcoated peanuts. The samples were analyzed for aflatoxins using a thin-layer chromatographic method. About 45% of the samples were positive for aflatoxins and 27% exceeded the limits of the Brazilian legislation (30.0 µg.kg -1 for aflatoxins B 1 +G 1 ). The aflatoxins were confirmed by derivatization with trifluoroacetic acid. The 90 th percentile was 110.0 in 1995, 60.0 in 1996 and 118.0 µg.kg -1 in 1997. The aflatoxins concentration in the raw peanut samples ranged from 5.0 to 382.0 µg.kg -1 and 27.1% were above the legal limits. Contamination in peanut candies was above the limit in 32.8% of the samples and the aflatoxins levels ranged from 6.0 to 494.0 µg.kg -1 . Contamination of salty peanuts was less frequent, around 10% of the samples and the toxin levels were usually below 10 µg.kg -1 . The maximum level of contamination, 536.0 µg.kg -1 , was found in a sample of peanut with a salty coat (amendoim japonês). Results of previous studies in peanuts and peanut products in the city of São Paulo from 1980-1987 had 68.75% of the samples with levels greater than the limit 30.0 µg.kg -1 and the 90 th percentile ranged from 42.0 to 333.0 µg.kg -1 . In 1994, 36.0% of the samples showed results above the limit and the 90 th percentile was 489 µg.kg -1 . The results show that aflatoxins contamination in peanuts is decreasing but it is still a serious problem in Brazil, a country where the climate, the agricultural practices and storage conditions favour fungal growth.

The occurrence of aflatoxin B1 contamination in peanuts and peanut products marketed in southern Brazil

“…This finding is important because peanut products are more widely consumed than peanuts, and it suggests that poorer-quality peanuts are used for processing. Similar data have been reported in previous studies (Sabino et al 1999;Freitas and Brigido 1998) and also suggest that the peanuts used for processing are of lower quality. Moreover, the data presented here reaffirm the inefficiency of government agencies that are responsible for monitoring these products and removing contaminated products from trade.…”

“…For example, Nakai et al (2008) studied the occurrence of aflatoxins in stored peanut samples from the State of São Paulo, Brazil, and found mean levels of AFB1 from 7.0 to 116.0 µg/kg. In a review of mycotoxin research in Brazil from 1991 through 2000, Rodriguez-Amaya and Sabino (2002) reported aflatoxin contamination in peanuts and peanut products from 1.0 to 12.9 µg/kg Sabino et al (1999), researching the occurrence of aflatoxins in peanuts and peanut products consumed in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, concluded that aflatoxin contamination in peanuts is decreasing but remains a problem because the maximum level of contamination detected was 536.0 µg/kg. However, few studies of aflatoxin contamination have been conducted in the southernmost region of Brazil.…”

“…Commodities, such as peanuts, may be contaminated in the field or after harvest during storage, processing or transport, resulting in not only a public health hazard, but also a financial loss (Craufurd et al 2006;Hussein and Brasel 2001;Sabino et al 1999). In Brazil, peanut production is concentrated in the southeast region.…”

“…The State of São Paulo is the greatest peanut producer, with a peanut output estimated to be 80.9 thousand tons for the 2008/2009 harvest, representing 71% of the Brazilian national peanut production (CONAB, 2010). The quality of peanuts and their derivatives consumed in southeastern Brazil is frequently monitored (Nakai et al 2008;Rodriguez-Amaya and Sabino 2002;Sabino et al 1999;Freitas and Brigido 1998 (CONAB 2010). In this region, peanuts are cultivated on a small scale by rural producers.…”

Perfil da contaminação com aflatoxina entre embalagens de produtos de amendoim

“…Levantamentos anteriores realizados no Brasil [3,15,16] mostraram, normalmente, freqüências e níveis mais elevados. Isto se deve, provavelmente, a uma melhora na qualidade da matéria-prima utilizada, resultado de campanhas de melhoria dos produtos de amendoim existentes e implantação de legislações específicas sobre o problema.…”