Enzyme - Linked Immunosorbent Assay (Elisa) of Aflatoxin B1 in Groundnut and Cereal Grains in Lagos, Nigeria

摘要

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used to assess the levels of aflatoxin B1 in groundnut and cereal grains commonly consumed by wide majority of Nigeria populace. Homogenous samples purchased from different markets in Lagos were extracted with 70% (v/v) methanol. The extracted samples and HRD-conjugated aflatoxin B1 were mixed and added to the antibody coated microwell. On removal of non-specific reactants, TMB substrate was added and the microwells measured optically by microplate reader at 450nm. The results showed that aflatoxin contents of groundnut ranged from 6.25 ng/g to 7.80 ng/g. The levels of this substance were 4.18 ng/g and 28.50 ng/g in millet samples. The maize samples contained between 2.51 ng/g and 3.94 ng/g aflatoxin as against the 5.20 ng/g found in sorghum. About fifty one percent aflatoxin incidence was found in the 99 samples investigated. With a safe limit of 20 ng/g set by food and drug administration agency, only the millet samples would prove toxic to the consumers of these products.