Study of aflatoxin in peanuts, from harvest to industrialization, in the region of Fernandópolis, S.P.

Abstract

In the present work the occurrence of aflatoxin in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the region of Fernandópolis, S.P., was investigated in three Stages, from harvest to industrialization: a) by the time the grower sells it to the oil mill: Epochs I and II; b) during its storage prior to milling: Epochs III and IV, and c) after oil extraction (peanut flour) : Epochs V and VI. In each Stage two collections, of 10 samples each, were made in a total of 40 samples of peanuts and 20 samples of peanut flour. From the results the following conclusions could be drawn: 1) all samples were toxic, except one; 2) the toxicity level in terms aflatoxin B1 was high, for 51.7% of the samples were in the category "High" and 38.3% in the category "Very High"; 3) the levels of aflatoxin in the samples grew from Epoch I to Epoch IV: mean values of 0.54 to 2.14 ppm, decreasing in Epoch V and VI: 1.04 ppm; 4) Five samples were excessively toxic with more than 10.00 ppm; 5) aflatoxin and high moisture content are present in most raw material when the grower takes it to the oil mill; 6) the miller does not take action to dry the moist material, contributing, this way, to permit an increase in the aflatoxin levels, during storage.