Natural Occurrence of Aflatoxins in Chinese Peanut Butter and Sesame Paste

Abstract

A study on the natural occurrence of aflatoxins in Chinese peanut butter and sesame paste samples was conducted. Aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) was the predominant toxin detected abundantly and frequently at a level up to 68.51 microg/kg in 41 of 50 peanut butter samples and 20.45 microg/kg in 37 of 100 sesame paste samples analyzed by liquid chromatography (LC). Of the AFB(1)-positive samples, 15 (37%) and 1 (2%) peanut butter samples with AFB(1) exceed European Union (EU) and Chinese regulations, respectively, whereas 19 and 32% of sesame paste samples contained AFB(1) higher than Chinese and EU regulations, respectively. Fourteen and 1 peanut butter samples and 10 and 7 sesame paste samples, respectively, will be legally claimed as positive, rejected, and even banned with consideration of an uncertainty of 40% for AFB(1), based on EU and Chinese regulations. Seeking to balance health benefits with the potential trade disruptions that regulations can cause is the issue of concern.

A survey of aflatoxins in sesame in Iran

“…So far, only data from Turkey (Yentur et al 2006) and from China (Li et al 2009) are available. While only low levels of AFG 1 have been reported for sesame from Turkey, sesame butter from China was seriously contaminated at levels which would have exceeded European Union and Iran MTLs for AFs.…”

“…Surprisingly, no data on type B aflatoxins in sesame were reported by these authors. Recently, Li et al (2009) found AFs in 37 of 100 samples of sesame paste from China, some of which containing excessively high levels of up to 20 μg/kg. Some samples of sesame oil have been analysed by various authors, but AFs have never been found in this type of sesame product (Patel et al 1996;Kumagai et al 2008).…”

Aflatoxins of type B and G affect porcine dendritic cell maturationin vitro

“…Indeed, when animals are fed feedstuffs contaminated at the upper limit of 10 mg/kg feed on a dry matter basis which is tolerated by the EU Feed legislation (2002), and considering the daily feed intake of piglets, total AF levels in the blood stream could reach $10 ng/ml. Although there are differing proportions of AFB 1 , AFB 2 , AFG 1 , and AFG 2 in Aspergillus-contaminated feed, aflatoxinogenic molds predominantly produce AFB 1 and to a lesser extent the other three AF in feed (Cervino et al, 2008;Joubrane et al, 2011;Li et al, 2009). Worldwide, occupational exposure to AF is alarming; a level of even $8 ng AFB 1 /ml in blood of swine 'workers' whose exposure was by the inhalation, oral, and/or dermal routes, has been reported (Viegas et al, 2013).…”

“…AF are classified into four types based on structure: AFB 1 , AFB 2 , AFG 1 , and AFG 2 (Figure 1), all of which are concomitantly present on Aspergillus-infested crops. Although the exact proportion of AFB 1 , -B 2 , -G 1 , and -G 2 in Aspergilluscontaminated feed and foods is unclear, these molds predominantly produce AFB 1 and to a lesser extent the other three AF in feed (Cervino et al, 2008;Joubrane et al, 2011;Li et al, 2009). AFB 1 is the most immune-disruptive aflatoxin, as a lower bioavailability and less toxic nature for AFB 2 , -G 1 , and -G 2 have been reported (Cusumano et al, 1990;Hoogenboom et al, 2001;Mehrzad et al, 2011).…”

Peanut consumption associated with a reduced risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A case–control study in a high‐risk area in China

“…However, peanut or peanut product consumption was related to a 3.0‐fold increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, and in Henan, China, the risk increased 13.6‐fold. Aflatoxin contamination was detected in 23–80% of Chinese peanuts or peanut products, and the higher risk findings in these studies were attributed such contamination . Humid storage of peanuts induces aflatoxin contamination and the null genotype of metabolizing aflatoxin enzyme contributes to a higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma .…”