Incidence, Types and Levels of Aflatoxin in Different Peanuts Varieties Produced in Busia and Kisii Central Districts, Kenya
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Date
2015
Authors
Menza, Nelson C.
Muturi, Margaret W.
Kamau, Lucy M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Scientific Research Publishing
Abstract
Busia and Kisii Central districts are areas in western Kenya that have repeatedly reported high
levels of stunting growth in children and an increase in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); an aspect
often positively associated with chronic exposure to aflatoxins especially through consumption of
foods such as peanuts. The objectives of the study were to determine the incidence, types and levels
of aflatoxin in different varieties of peanuts produced in Busia and Kisii Central districts. One
hundred and two (102) peanuts samples were collected from farmers’ in each district. Aflatoxin
types and levels of aflatoxins were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
technique. All the peanuts samples from Kisii Central and 97.06% samples from Busia were contaminated
with aflatoxins. However, aflatoxin was not detected in 2.94% of samples from Busia
district. The levels of total aflatoxin ranges were 0.1 to 268 μg/kg and 1.63 to 591.1 μg/kg in peanuts
from Busia and Kisii Central respectively. Majority of peanuts samples had levels within
Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and European Union (EU) regulatory limits for total aflatoxins.
Improved variety (Valencia red) had significantly lower aflatoxin contamination compared to local
varieties (Uganda local red, Homabay local and Local red). Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 were
found in peanuts; B1 was the most predominant in both districts (t = 12.4, df = 3, P = 0.034). The
levels of aflatoxins especially in peanuts from Kisii Central district were high (591.1 μg/kg) where
44.6% of samples analyzed were unfit for even animal feed (USFDA regulatory limit). An assessment
on the levels of aflatoxins should be done by the relevant stakeholders in other key foods in
the areas for example maize. The most lethal aflatoxin type B1 was found to be the most predominant
peanuts from both districts of study. This calls for frequent aflatoxin screening of peanuts
from the districts particularly aflatoxin type B.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Levels of Aflatoxins, Peanuts, Aflatoxin Type B1