Risk assessment and exposure to levels of naturally occurring aflatoxins in some packaged cereals and cereal based foods consumed in Accra, Ghana

• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.11.012
• Publication Date: 2018-11-29T19:12:27Z
• Authors: Nii Korley Kortei; Akwasi Akomeah Ag...; Felicia Akuamoa; Vincent Kyei Baffour; Huseini Wiisibie ...
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; 0404 agricultural biotechnology; RA1190-1270; Toxicology. Poisons; 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences; Article

Aflatoxins are toxic secondary metabolites of fungal origin that contaminate agricultural commodities before, during and after harvest periods. A total fifty-three (53) different foods (27 rice brands, 20 cereal based food brands 6 pasta brands) were randomly obtained from the market assessed for their aflatoxin constitution (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 AFG2) as well levels aflatoxins using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method. For grain category, RS4 recorded highest quantities 65.77, 19.27, 1.02 μg/kg AFB1, respectively a 86.06 which significantly differed (p < 0.05) other foods. CBS11 greatest 35.46, 4.92, 3.39 0.32 AFG2 45.1 μg/kg. PS1 0.94 0.85 AFB1 AFB2 respectively. Total detected in some above acceptable limits set by European Union makes them unsafe dangerous human consumption. Recorded Estimated Daily Intakes (EDI) Hazard Indices (HI) values range 3.9 × 10-3 – 0.899 10-4 - 0.0899 The risk was low since HI less than 1.