Aflatoxin B_1 in sesame seeds and sesame products from the Greek market

摘要

Aflatoxin B_1 (AFB_1) is considered as the most potent liver carcinogen for humans. A method for determination in sesame seeds was developed. AFB_1 was extracted by methanol-water, cleaned by immunoaffinity columns and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The recovery factor and the limit of detection (LOD) of AFB, in sesame seeds were 111.5% and 0.02 ng g~(-1) respectively. Thirty samples of sesame products were examined for the presence of AFB_1. After analysis, 77.6% of samples were found to be contaminated. Eight samples exceeded the European Union (EU) limit (2 μg AFB_1 kg~(-1)). In 15 samples, AFB_1 was below the EU limit. Seven samples remained below the LOD. The most contaminated (14.49 ng AFB_1 g~(-1)) sample was unpeeled packaged sesame seeds. In all samples, aflatoxigenic Aspergilli fungi as well as the risk for AFB_1 presence in sesame seed was investigated.