Aflatoxin B(1) contamination of parboiled rice samples collected from different states of India: A multi-centre study.

Under a multi-centre study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research, 1,511 samples of parboiled rice were collected from rural and urban areas of 11 states representing different geographical regions of India. These samples were analysed for contamination with aflatoxin B(1.) The presence of aflatoxin B(1) at levels=5 microg g(-1) was found in 38.5% of the total number of samples of the parboiled rice. About 17% of the total samples showed the presence of aflatoxin B(1) above the Indian regulatory limit of 30 microg kg(-1). No statistically significant difference in percentage of samples contaminated with >30 microg kg(-1) was observed between pooled rural (19.4%) and urban (14.5%) data. A median value of 15 microg kg(-1) of aflatoxin B(1) was observed in samples from Assam, Bihar and Tripura. In all other states surveyed the median value was <5 microg?kg(-1).     

DDT and HCH residues in dairy milk samples collected from different geographical regions of India: a multicentre study.

Under a multicentre study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research, 2205 samples of dairy milk were collected from rural and urban areas of 12 states representing different geographical regions of India. These samples were analysed for residues of DDT and different isomers of HCH by gas-liquid chromatography. Analytical quality assurance between various participating laboratories was ensured through analysis of check samples. The residues of DDT and HCH were detected in more than 80% of samples analysed. Concentrations of DDT residues, alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH and delta-HCH exceeded their maximum residue limits prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Indian Government in 37, 21, 42, 28 and 4% of the samples, respectively. Median values of DDT and HCH found in dairy milk in India were more than the corresponding values reported from most other countries. The results showed significant variations in the incidence as well as level of these contaminants in dairy milk from different regions of the country.     

Residues of DDT and HCH pesticides in rice samples from different geographical regions of India: a multicentre study.

As part of a multicentre study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research, 2000 samples of rice were collected from rural and urban areas of 13 states representing different geographical regions of India. The samples were analyzed for residues of DDT [2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane] and different isomers of HCH [1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane, a mixture of isomers] by gas-chromatography. Residues of DDT and HCH, respectively, were detected in about 58 and 73% of the samples analysed. Medians of both DDT and HCH in rice samples were around 0.01 mg kg (-1). Concentrations of alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-HCH exceeded a maximum residue limit of 0.05 mg kg (-1) for each isomer in rice fixed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Indian Government in 4.3, 2.6, 1.7 and 1.2% of the samples, respectively. There is no statutory limit fixed in India for DDT residues in cereals. Its maximum residue limit of 0.1 mg kg (-1) in cereals recommended by Codex was exceeded by about 2% of the samples examined. Estimated intake of DDT and isomers of HCH through consumption of rice contaminated at their median and 90th percentiles constituted a small proportion of their acceptable daily intakes.     

Residues of DDT and HCH in wheat samples collected from different states of India and their dietary exposure: A multicentre study

Under a multicentre study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research, 1712 samples of wheat grain/flour were collected from urban and rural areas in 11 states representing different geographical regions of India. These samples were analysed for residues of DDT (2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloro ethane) and different isomers of HCH (1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachloro cyclohexane, a mixture of isomers) by gas-liquid chromatography. Residues of DDT were detected in 59.4% of 1080 samples of wheat grain and in 78.2% of 632 samples of wheat flour. Different isomers of HCH were present in about 45-80% of the samples of wheat grain/flour. Medians of DDT and total HCH, respectively, for pooled samples of wheat grain were 0.013 and 0.035 mg kg^-1, while those for wheat flour were 0.01 and 0.02 mg kg^-1. Estimated daily intakes of DDT and different isomers of HCH through the consumption of wheat contaminated at their median and 90th percentiles constituted a small proportion of their acceptable daily intakes. Amongst the pesticide residues analysed, statutory maximum residue limits have been fixed only for γ-HCH in wheat in India, as 0.1 mg kg^-1 in wheat grain and zero in wheat flour. Residue levels of γ-HCH exceeded these maximum residue limits in five of 1080 samples of wheat grain and in 340 of 632 samples of wheat flour. The failure to meet the requirement of the γ-HCH maximum residue limit in large number of wheat flour samples was attributed to the fixation of practically unachievable zero limit. Comparing the previous studies and the present one, the levels of residues of DDT and HCH in wheat were significantly decreased.     

Natural occurrence of aflatoxin B1 in sorghum grown in different geographical regions of India

BACKGROUND: Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is an important coarse cereal crop grown for grain and fodder in the semi‐arid Tropics, mainly in Asian and African countries. In India sorghum is consumed as human food and poultry feed. Sorghum grain grown in the rainy season (kharif) is becoming severely affected by grain moulds, the major fungi involved being Aspergillus, Fusarium and Curvularia. If the extent of mould is severe, the grain is unsafe for consumption owing to contamination by mycotoxins. RESULTS: This paper presents a multi‐centre study conducted in sorghum to evaluate natural contamination of aflatoxin B₁ in India. A total of 1606 grain sorghum samples were collected during the rainy (kharif) season across 4 years from seven states of India, representing different geographical regions of the country. Aflatoxin B₁ contamination during 2007–08 was the highest (13.1%), followed by samples from the year 2004–05 (2.85%). The samples collected in years 2005–06 and 2006–07 showed contamination below 1%. The number of samples (35) showing aflatoxin B₁ contamination above the safety limit was also highest during 2007–08 as compared to samples from the other years. CONCLUSION: This study, conducted for 4 years, showed that natural contamination of aflatoxin B₁ in sorghum grown in India is within safety limits (20 µg kg^?1) recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Committee and 73% of samples were positive for toxin. However, 0.75% (12) of total samples contained aflatoxin above the safety limit. The overall occurrence of toxin from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan was below 5 µg kg^?1. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Aflatoxin B1 and sterigmatocystin in wheat and wheat products from supermarkets in China

Wheat is an important cereal but it is often contaminated with mycotoxins. The natural occurrence of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and sterigmatocystin (STC) was determined in 178 food samples (32 wheat samples and 146 wheat products) purchased from Chinese supermarkets. The methodology was validated, the wheat and wheat products samples were treated with a modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) and quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). From these samples 18.8% of wheat and 8.2% of cracker samples were contaminated with AFB₁. Mean levels were 0.06 µg/kg and 0.05µg/kg, respectively. There was no AFB₁ contamination in white bread or whole meal bread. Meanwhile 53.1% of wheat, 59.2% of crackers, 20.8% of white bread and 16% of whole meal bread samples were contaminated with STC. The mean levels were 0.07, 0.79, 0.12 and 0.12 µg/kg respectively. Although the levels were low, this demonstrates the need for more comprehensive surveys for these two mycotoxins in wheat and wheat products from China.     

Aflatoxin M 1 contamination in commercial samples of milk and dairy products in Kuwait

As part of the programme on monitoring of environmental contaminants in food stuffs in Kuwait, 54 samples of fresh full cream and skimmed milk, powdered milk, yoghurt, and infant formula were analysed for aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1 ) by HPLC following sample clean up using immuno-affinity columns. Of samples, 28% were contaminated with AFM 1 with 6% being above the maximum permissible limit of 0.2 μg l -1 . Three fresh cow milk samples collected from a private local producer showed the highest level of 0.21 μg l -1 AFM 1 . There was no contamination with AFM 1 in powdered milk and infant formulas. These results show the necessity of a survey involving a larger number of milk and its products and suggest that presently the contamination of milk and milk products with AFM 1 does not appear to be a serious health problem in Kuwait. Nevertheless, a continuous surveillance programme may be warranted to monitor regularly the occurrence of aflatoxins in the animal feeds responsible for current limited contamination and to note rapidly any worsening in the situation that may depend on market changes or on unfavourable climatic developments.     

Aflatoxin B1 in betel nuts (Areca catechu L.) imported to Pakistan from different regions of South Asia

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) levels were evaluated in betel nuts (Areca catechu L.) being imported to Pakistan during 2010–2011. In total, 278 betel nut samples (India = 21, Indonesia = 51, Sri-Lanka = 34 and Thailand = 172) were received from the Department of Customs and were analysed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). All Indian origin betel nuts showed AFB₁ contamination ranging from 11.7–262.0 µg kg^?1 with a mean of 92.5 µg kg^?1. Among Indonesian and Sri Lankan shipments, 80.4% and 73.5% betel nuts were contaminated with AFB₁ ranging between 3.3–39.2 and 6.5–103.4 µg kg^?1 with a mean of 11.6 and 35.0 µg kg^?1, respectively. However, only 30.2% of Thailand origin samples showed AFB₁ contamination ranging 3.3–77.0 µg kg^?1 with a mean of 6.6 µg kg^?1. The widespread occurrence of AFB₁ increases the hazard associated with betel nuts. Thus, strict control is a pre-requisite for the production and import/export of psychoactive substances as betel nuts.     

食品中黄曲霉毒素B1污染研究进展

农作物（包括玉米、小麦等）在生长、收获和储存的过程中,容易受到产毒真菌及其代谢毒物（霉菌毒 素）的污染;其加工形成的粮、油等食品及被污染饲料饲养所得的畜产品进入食物链后,易引发人类急、慢性中 毒。黄曲霉毒素B1是众多霉菌毒素中较常见且毒性较高的一种,过量摄入具有致癌、致畸形、免疫抑制等毒性效 应。本文综合国内外研究进展,从食品中黄曲霉毒素B1污染发生的来源及影响因素、黄曲霉毒素B1的分子结构与毒 性、致病机理、限量标准、风险评估及防控等方面对食品中黄曲霉毒素B1污染展开综述。     

Aflatoxin B1 and total fumonisin contamination and their producing fungi in fresh and stored sorghum grain in East Hararghe,Ethiopia

Natural contamination of sorghum grains by aflatoxin B₁ and total fumonisin and their producing toxigenic fungi has been studied. A total of 90 sorghum grain samples were collected from small-scale farmers’ threshing floors and 5–6 months later from underground pits during 2013 harvest from three districts of East Hararghe, Ethiopia. Mycotoxin analysis was done using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The limits of detection were in the range 0.01–0.03 μg kg^–1. The results revealed that all sorghum grain samples were contaminated with both Aspergillus and Fusarium species. Aflatoxin B₁ was detected at levels ranging from ?1 grain. There were marked variations in aflatoxin B₁ concentrations between fresh and stored samples, with much higher levels in the latter. Total fumonisin levels varied between 907 and 2041 µg kg^?1 grain across the samples. Lowest total fumonisin was recorded in freshly harvested sorghum grain samples. Sorghum is a main staple cereal in the studied districts and its consumption per day per person is high. Daily intake of low doses of mycotoxin-contaminated food stuff over a period of time could lead to chronic mycotoxicosis.     

Aflatoxin M1 in fresh milk collected from local markets of Karachi,Pakistan

During 2016–2017, 156 samples of fresh milk samples were collected from local markets of Karachi, Pakistan and analysed for aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) contamination using ELISA technique. AFM₁ was detected in 143 (91.7%) samples, ranged from 20 to 3090 ng L^?1 with a mean level of 346.2 ng L^?1. In 125 (80.1%) samples, the AFM₁ contamination was greater than the maximum limit (ML = 50 ng L^?1) set by EU. However, in 51 (32.7%) samples, the AFM₁ level was higher than the ML of 500 ng L^?1 as assigned by the USA. Statistical analysis showed that the AFM₁ level in milk samples from summer was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that obtained in winter. It was concluded that the AFM₁ levels in the tested samples appear to be a serious public health problem. Therefore, immediate measures should be taken and re-evaluation done for the procedures for farming, transportation, refrigeration, and storage for the control of AFM₁ level in milk samples.     

Analysis of characteristic flavour compounds in Chinese rice wines and representative fungi in wheat Qu samples from different regions

The volatile flavour compounds of different Chinese traditional rice wines and the corresponding representative fungi in the wheat Qu (comparable to the koji used in sake brewing) samples were investigated. Results showed that alcohols, acids and esters were abundantly present in the three Chinese rice wines, but the types and concentrations of the volatile flavour compounds by fermentation from different wheat Qu samples were quite distinctive. Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus oryzae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were the major components of the fungal flora in the three kinds of wheat Qu samples. Less prevalent genera and species represented in the fungal communities of the three kinds of wheat Qu samples, however, varied greatly, and the richer the flavour substances in the rice wines were, the more abundant the microbe species in the corresponding wheat Qu samples. The results indicate that the types and concentrations of volatile compounds were significantly influenced by the species of microorganisms (moulds and yeasts) in the wheat Qu, which brings a unique flavour to Chinese rice wine. Copyright © 2012 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

2013~2015年北京市密云区部分食品中铅污染 状况分析

摘 要: 目的 了解北京市密云区6类食品中铅污染状况。 方法 2013~2015年在辖区内农贸市场、超市、食品店和种养殖基地随机抽取6类共365份样品,用石墨炉原子吸收光谱法检测铅含量,按照食品安全国家标准食品中污染物限量（GB 2762-2012）进行评价。 结果 6类食品样品中铅的总超标率为1.37%,其中生畜肝的铅检出率及超标率最高,分别为100% 和16.67%。其他5类食品无超标样品。 结论 北京市密云区6类食品中铅的总体超标率较低,生畜肝中铅污染水平相对较高,应采取措施加以控制。     

Aflatoxin B1 levels in groundnut and sunflower oils in different Sudanese states

In this article, the level of contamination of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) in groundnut and sunflower oils was determined. The 241 oil samples were collected from Khartoum, Gezira, Kordofan and Algadarif states of Sudan and assessed for AFB₁ using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). AFB₁ levels in groundnut oil samples ranged from 0.5 to 70 µg/kg and were 0.7 to 35 µg/kg in sunflower oil samples. High contamination was found in unrefined samples. It was concluded that AFB₁ levels in oil samples indicated that growing, harvesting, handling and storage of the crops were not done properly.     

Selenium levels in wheat flour from different regions of the USSR

Selenium content in the Soviet and imported wheat flour was studied in different regions of the USSR. Regions have been distinguished with high, medium and low level of selenium in wheat flour.     

Heavy metal concentrations in raw milk collected from different regions of Samsun,Turkey

In this study, 144 raw milk samples were analysed for heavy metal contamination derived from emissions from industrial operations in Tekkekoy, Samsun, Turkey. Cu, Fe, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, As and Pb levels in samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). The average amounts of copper, chromium, iron, zinc, nickel, cadmium, arsenic and lead were determined as 1.130, 0.441, 12.920, 0.032, 0.483, 0.006, 0.003 and 0.004 mg/kg, respectively. It was determined that the summer period has the highest levels for copper, lead and cadmium. The highest contents of arsenic and copper were found at the two industrial regions that were close to Black Sea, described as ‘1st’ and ‘2nd’ region. Whereas the 3rd and 4th regions that were far from an industrial zone and also from the Black Sea, nickel, lead and chromium had the highest levels.     

Aflatoxin M1 contamination in cow and buffalo milk samples from the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Punjab provinces of Pakistan

A total of 178 milk samples (94 of buffalo and 84 of cow) were randomly taken from Punjab and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan (n?=?89 in each province) and analysed for the presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM₁) by HPLC-FLD. From Punjab about 46% of buffalo's and 49% of cow's milks were contaminated with AFM₁ as compared with 52% and 51% for milk samples from NWFP, respectively. Overall, the mean AFM₁ concentration was 0.046?µg?kg^?1 with a maximum of 0.350?µg?kg^?1. All samples complied with the Codex Alimentarius limit of 0.50?µg?kg^?1 for AFM₁ in milk, but 16.3% of samples exceeded the European Union maximum level of 0.05?µg?kg^?1. Another set of 415 buffalo's and cow's milk samples (213 morning milks and 202 evening milks) were analysed. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p?<?0.05) between mean AFM₁ concentrations in milk during the morning (0.043?µg?kg^?1) and the evening (0.028?µg?kg^?1) lactation times.