Incidence of aflatoxins in the raw peanut (Arachis hypogaea L) in shell of Alta Paulista-SP region during the period from 2011 to 2012

Abstract

Aflatoxins are the secondary metabolites produced by the species of Aspergillus genus, and the frequent intake of aflatoxin-containing foods has been correlated with the occurrence of hepatic neoplasms by the International Agency for Reseach on Cancer (IARC). This study analyzed 966 samples of raw peanuts in shell, collected in the period from February to May, corresponding to the harvest seasons of 2010- 2011 and 2011-2012. For detecting aflatoxins, immunoaffinity column coupled with fluorometry (CIA) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methodologies were employed, following the parameters established by the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. Aflatoxins were detected in amount above the maximum tolerated by the legislation in 12,6 % and 19,5 % of samples, corresponding to 2011 and 2012 harvests, respectively. In the 2010-2011 season the range of contamination was 21-52 mg/kg, and for 2011-2012 crop the range of contamination varied from 28 to 260 mg/kg, being the value five times higher than those observed in 2011. The highest contamination indices were found in periods with lower rainfall in both 2011 and 2012. Therefore, the peanut tracking is required during the entire production chain of this product in order to provide safe food for human and animal health.