Aflatoxin Occurrence in Peanuts Grown in Osmaniye at Harvest, Post-Harvest, Drying and Pre-Storage Periods

Aflatoxin contamination is one of the important problems on peanuts and their products. The aim of the study was todetect aflatoxin occurrence and critical periods of toxin production on peanuts collected in different periods. The studywas carried out in the years of 2010 and 2011 at experimental and different research areas of Osmaniye. Peanut kernelstoxin analysis was performed at four distinct periods during the harvesting process: harvest, post-harvest, drying andpre-storage. Total aflatoxin occurrence on peanut kernels was analyzed by CD-ELISA (Competitive Direct-EnzymeLinked Immuno Sorbent Assays). Analysis results showed that aflatoxin contamination was not found on 96 samplessundried on drying sheet at experimental area whereas 41 of 42 samples sundried on field soil at the research areas werecontaminated. Toxin levels in 42 contaminated samples were from 0.1 to 9.0 μg kg^-1. Also, IAC-HPLC (ImmunoaffinityChromatography-Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) analysis was used for the 18 samplescontiminated aflatoxin. The results from both the CD-ELISA and IAC-HPLC analysis were similar. Aflatoxin levelsduring drying and pre-storage were significantly higher than those during harvest and post-harvest. In conclusion, thedrying and pre-storage terms are the most critical periods for aflatoxin contamination.