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

Abstract

In the present work the occurrence of aflatoxin in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the region of Monte Alto, 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) the majory of the samples, representing 90%, was toxic; 2) the toxicity level, in terms of aflatoxin B1,was hight for 60% of the samples had more than 1.00 ppm, in the category "Very Hight" ; 3) the toxicity level of the samples grew from Epoch I to Epoch IV: mean values of 0.10 to 2.49 ppm, decreasing in Epochs V and VI: 1.02 and 1.25 ppm, giving the average value of 1.23 ppm; 4) aflatoxin is already present in peanuts when the grower take it to the oil mill; 5) storage at the oil mill seems to contribute to increase the toxicy level.