Aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A and zearalenone in sorghum grains marketed in Tunisia

Abstract

A total of 64 samples of sorghum (37 Tunisian sorghum samples and 27 Egyptian sorghum samples) were collected during 2011-2012 from markets in Tunisia. Samples were analysed for contamination with aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A and zearalenone by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Fluorescence Detection (HPLC-FLD). Aflatoxin B1 was found in 38 samples in the range 0.03-31.7 µg kg^-1. Ochratoxin A was detected in 24 samples with concentrations ranging from 1.04 to 27.8 µg kg^-1. Zearalenone was detected in 21 samples and the concentration varied between 3.7 and 64.5 µg kg^-1. ANOVA analysis of the influence of the country of origin on the incidence and concentration of mycotoxins in the samples studied showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the two batches of samples for each of the three mycotoxins studied. The studied mycotoxins contaminate sorghum and may also co-exist because of the diversity of the mycobiota in this cereal.