Aflatoxin contamination of dried yam chips marketed in Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Dried yam chips from different markets in western Nigeria had pH 5.7–6.1 and moisture contents of 7.5–14.3%. Aspergillus was the predominant mould followed by Penicillium . From thin layer chromatography analysis, 54% of the chips were contaminated with aflatoxin B 1 up to 186 (g/kg, 32% with aflatoxin B 2 up to 55 (g/kg. Of the samples, 51% contained aflatoxin above the 20 ppb internationally accepted residue limit. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd