Title of article :
Aflatoxin in Raw and Salt-Roasted Nuts (Pistachios, Peanuts and Walnuts) Sold in Markets of Tabriz, Iran
Author/Authors :
Ostadrahimi، Alireza نويسنده Nutrition Research Center, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , , Ashrafnejad، Fereshteh نويسنده Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran , , Kazemi، Abdolhassan نويسنده , , Sargheini، Nafiseh نويسنده Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran , , Mahdavi، Reza نويسنده Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran , , Farshchian، Mohammadreza نويسنده Department of Health of Environment, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran , , Mahluji، Sepideh نويسنده Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran ,
Abstract :
Background:: Nuts are one of the main consumed snacks worldwide and also have an important role among Iranianʹs food habits. Natural contamination of nuts with aflatoxin is unavoidable and causes a special challenge for nuts safety and quality.
Objectives:: The purpose of this research was to study the aflatoxin contamination in commercially-available nuts (pistachio, walnut and peanut) in the markets of Tabriz, Iran.
Materials and Methods:: Sixty two samples of 50 g salt-roasted peanuts and pistachios and 109 samples of 50 g pure pistachios, walnuts and peanuts were collected from different areas of local markets. After the initial preparations, ELISA test was performed for Aflatoxin measurement.
Results:: Result showed that walnut (90%) and pure pistachio (2.3%) were the most and least contaminated samples, respectively. Mean aflatoxin contamination in the salt-roasted samples (19.88 ± 19.41 µg/kg) was significantly higher than the pure ones (6.51 ± 9.4 µg/kg) (P < 0.001). Respectively, 58.6%, 48.4% and 47.6% of salt-roasted pistachios, salt-roasted peanuts and walnut samples had aflatoxin contamination, which were more than the maximum tolerated level of Iran (MTL, 15 ppb).
Conclusions:: It was concluded that aflatoxin content of nuts should be monitored regularly to minimize the risk of aflatoxin hazard and ensure the food safety and quality.
