Impact of some aflatoxin-contaminated food-grains on public health [electronic resource].

Includes reference.

Samples of three food-grains stored for 3-7 months, in three different types of stores were evaluated for fungal inocula and aflatoxins contamination. Blood tests of certain human populations use to eat from such food-grain stocks, including serum aflatoxin B1, some trace elements, some heavy metals and schistosomal immunodiagnostic tests were carried out. Recorded values were related to liver disease markers, i.e. hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs-Ag) and hepatitis C antibodies (Anti-HCV-Ab). Main concern of aflatoxins-grains-contamination was given. Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and A. parasiticus recorded between 0 and 94%. Other seven non-aflatoxins producing fungi were recorded in different levels, i.e. Alternaria alternata, Cephalosporium sp., Cladosporium sp., Fusarium moniliforme, Penicillium spp., Stemphylium botryosum and Rhizopus nigricans. Aflatoxin B1 was recorded as traces (<5μg/kg) in maize sample stored for 4 months containing 17% moisture content (MC) and recorded 143.8 μg/kg in wheat sample stored for 7 months containing 19% MC, while, B2 toxin was separated from other three samples at levels of 67.2 μg/kg (5 months + 15% MC), 77.6 μg/kg (6 months + 15% MC) and 134.8 μg/kg.

Summary in Arabic.

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