Aflatoxins in rice – A limited survey of products marketed in Austria

Eighty-one rice samples were purchased from different markets in Vienna and were analysed for their aflatoxin content. The samples were extracted using methanol in water (80/20 v/v) followed by immunoaffinity clean up. The determination was carried out by HPLC–FLD coupled to a Kobracell. Different samples including basmati rice, whole grain rice, long grain rice, short grain rice as well as puffed rice were investigated. Moreover, conventionally and organically produced rice were compared. The results revealed that 24 out of 81 samples contained detectable amounts of aflatoxins. Aflatoxin B1 could be quantified in 15 samples and aflatoxin B2 in one sample. The contamination range was noted to be between 0.45 μg kg−1 and 9.86 μg kg−1 for aflatoxin B1 and 1.5 μg kg−1 for aflatoxin B2. Aflatoxins G1 and G2 were not detected in any sample. Three samples exceeded the maximum levels set in the European Union; having AFB1 concentrations of 2.16, 2.85 and 9.86 μg kg−1. In the three organic produced rice samples only traces of aflatoxins were found.