Quantification of aflatoxins in dry fruits using ELISA with reference to standards for human consumption

Arif Nazir, Muhammad Asif, Imran Kalim, Naveed Ahmad and Munawar Iqbal

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Abstract

The present research work is being executed on account of detection of aflatoxins B1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 in dry fruits. Total 50 samples of dry fruits including dried figs, dried apricots, peanuts, almonds and dried dates were collected from different areas of Punjab, Pakistan and were analyzed for aflatoxin detection (AFs) by enzyme linked immunoassay technique (ELISA). The results showed that AFs were detected in 33% (n = 17) samples having range from 2.8-14 μg/kg in dry fruits, with an average limit 9.12 μg/kg. In 59% (n=10) samples of dried fruits the AFs limit was above the maximum limits, i.e., ML = 10 μg/kg as given by European Union (EU). Moreover, 41% (n=7) of the total detected samples having AFs limits below the maximum limit of aflatoxins as purposed by the EU. It is hereby concluded that the need is to launch an uninterrupted and rigid national supervising architectural plan in order to raise the standard and safety of dry fruits for human consumption.

Published
2021-10-01
Section
Articles