Mycotoxin Contamination of Bush Mango, Cashew Nuts, Okra, Sesame and Sorghum Marketed in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Food crops (bush mango (n=12), roasted cashew nut (n=12), dried okra (n=12), sesame (n=35) and sorghum (n=36)) sold in markets in Nasarawa state, Nigeria, were analyzed using a LC-MS/MS mycotoxin method. The hepatocarcinogenic aflatoxin B1 was detected in 42%, 25% and 19% of bush mango, dried okra and sorghum samples at mean concentrations of 19.2, 8.27 and 4.75 µg/kg, respectively, while fumonisin B1 contaminated 9% of the sesame (mean: 12.5 µg/kg) and 47% of the sorghum (mean: 461 µg/kg) samples. At least 19% of the sorghum samples were co-contaminated with aflatoxin B1 andfumonisin B1. The nephrotoxic ochratoxin A was detected in bush mango, sorghum and, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, in dried okra. These vended food crops in the local markets are therefore prone to mycotoxin contamination,which may pose a health threat to consumers, and require intentional mitigation efforts.

Keywords

• aflatoxin b1
• cereals
• nuts
• oil seeds
• food safety
• mycotoxins
• public health
• vegetables