Aflatoxins in sunflower seeds and unrefined sunflower oils from Singida, Tanzania

Abstract

A total of 61 samples comprising sunflower seeds (40) and unrefined sunflower oils (21) samples collected randomly from Singida, Tanzania were analysed by Reverse Phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). 15% (6/40) of the seed samples were contaminated with aflatoxin B₁ ranging from limit of detection (LOD) to 218 ng g^-1 with three of them exceeding the European Commission/European Union (EC/EU) and Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS)/Tanzania Food and Drug Authority (TFDA) maximum limits of 2 ng g^-1 for AFB₁ in oilseeds. The levels of total aflatoxins (AFT) in seeds ranged from LOD to 243 ng g^-1. Other aflatoxins, except AFG₂, were also detected. For the unrefined sunflower oils, the levels of AFB₁ ranged from LOD to 2.56 ng mL^-1. About 80.9% (17/21) of the analysed oil samples contained AFB₁ of which 17.65% (3/17) exceeded the EC/EU and TBS/TFDA maximum limits of 2 ng mL^-1. Other aflatoxins were also detected in the oils. The measured levels indicate there is a need for food quality education among food processors.