Detection of aflatoxins and zearalenone contamination in wheat derived products

Abstract

In present study the natural occurrence of aflatoxins (AFs) and zearalenone (ZEN) has determined in 147 samples of wheat derived products i.e. spaghetti (25), noodles (34), macaroni (29), lasagne (37), and bucatini (22), collected from major districts of Punjab, Pakistan. The mean of AFs was found 9.12in spaghetti, 7.35in noodles, 5.91in macaroni, 8.39in lasagne, and 9.61μg/kg in bucatini and 28, 18, 17, 22 and 27% of samples were found above the European Union's legal limit (i.e. 4μg/kg) for total AFs, respectively. However, mean value of ZEN was found 7.36in spaghetti, 6.80in noodles, 4.98in macaroni, 6.90in lasagne, and 8.89μg/kg in bucatini samples and 16, 15, 21, 19 and 36% of samples were found to be above the recommended limit. The study urged the need to focus more comprehensive survey for these toxins in wheat derived products from Punjab, Pakistan. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.