Surveillance of mycotoxin contaminants and mycotoxigenic fungi in agricultural produce

Abstract

Food crops, including vegetables, are prone to attack by pathogenic and mycotoxigenic fungi and represent a food safety and public health risk. The study aimed to detect and quantify mycotoxins in vegetables widely consumed in Mauritius. Diseased samples of garlic, onion, potato, pumpkin and tomato were collected post-harvest. Following microscopic identification of the suspect pathogen(s), samples were tested for mycotoxins by ELISA. Results demonstrated a high mean level of citrinin in garlic (5,448.6 μg/kg) and ochratoxin in onion (9.25 μg/kg), which exceeded the permissible limits, thus pointing to potential health risks associated with the consumption of these vegetables.