Abstract

Aflatoxins are mycotoxins, structurally related compounds produced as secondary metabolites by aspergillus molds, primarily flavus and parasiticus. Aflatoxins occur naturally in dry coconut, peanuts, cottonseed, corn, almond, cashew nut and dried chili pepper, as well as many mixed or processed foods and feeds. A simple, sensitive, and robust HPLC method and ultraviolet detection was used to analyze aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁ and G₂ in dry coconut. Although more number of aflatoxins exists, the four major toxins of interest are B₁, B₂, G₁ and G₂. They are designated according to their absorption properties in the UV region of the spectrum. Aflatoxin B₁ and B₂ emit radiation corresponding to blue wavelength, while G₁ and G₂ emit yellow-green wavelength. The extracts were cleaned using solid phase extraction method (SPE) preferably over immuno affinity columns (IAC) as the former give better recovery of aflatoxins than the latter one even with most challenging matrices and other methods like soxhlet extraction and accelerated solvent extraction. Further no interferences were found to be present after the cleanup of the sample matrix.

Keywords

Mycotoxins, Aflatoxins, Molds, RP-HPLC, Vomitoxin, A. Flavus, Fusarium