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Comparing aflatoxin contamination in chilies from Punjab, Pakistan produced in summer and winter

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Abstract

A comparison was made of total aflatoxins (AFs) in 43 samples of chilies collected during winter and 42 in summer to determine the effect of season on contamination. The samples were analyzed by HPLC with fluorescence detection. The limits of detection and quantification for AFB1 and AFG1 were 0.05 μg/kg and 0.50 μg/kg, whilst for AFG2 and AFB2 they were 0.10 μg/kg and 0.60 μg/kg. In the winter samples, AFs were detected in 18 (72%) whole and 14 (60%) ground chilies, with concentration ranges 0.00-52.30 μg/kg and 0.00-74.60 μg/kg respectively. In the summer samples, 17 (64%) whole and 12 (76%) ground chilies were contaminated with AFs at concentrations 0.00-61.50 μg/kg and 0.00-95.90 μg/kg respectively. The percentage of samples greater than the European Union statutory limit for AFB1 and total AF for whole chilies were 48 and 36%, compared with ground chili values of 50 and 45%, respectively, in the winter season. In the summer season, the samples greater than the European Union limit for AFB1 and total AF in whole chilies were 52 and 38%, compared with values of 54 and 49% in ground chilies respectively. AF contamination was found to be higher in summer chili samples and hence winter chilies may provide a better quality product with respect to AF contamination. The ability to undertake this analysis in Pakistan will enhance greatly the ability to improve chili production in that country, as described herein.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Higher Education Commission, Pakistan (Indigenous PhD fellowship 5000 batch-III- 063-00445-Ps3-047) for this research. R.R.M.P. is grateful for the FCT framework position: Commitment to Science ref. C2008-UMIN-HO-CEB2.

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  1. Shahzad Zafar Iqbal

    Present address: Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, 38040, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, 38040, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Ijaz A. Bhatti

  2. Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA

    Shahzad Zafar Iqbal

  3. IBB-Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal

    R. Russell M. Paterson

  4. Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan

    Muhammad R. Asi

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  1. Shahzad Zafar Iqbal
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  3. Ijaz A. Bhatti
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  4. Muhammad R. Asi
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Correspondence to Shahzad Zafar Iqbal.

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Iqbal, S.Z., Paterson, R.R.M., Bhatti, I.A. et al. Comparing aflatoxin contamination in chilies from Punjab, Pakistan produced in summer and winter. Mycotox Res 27, 75–80 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12550-010-0078-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12550-010-0078-z

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