Aflatoxin contamination of baby food flour sold on Haitian markets

Abstract

Mycotoxins (Mox) are secondary metabolites produced by filamentous moulds. Among Mox, aflatoxins (AFs) are noted as the most preoccupant carcinogen substances known. AFs contaminate several food materials and derived products such as flour. The present investigation aimed at evaluating the AF contaminations of maize, cassava, moringa and rice flour products utilized as baby food in Haiti. Twenty five samples were collected in South Haiti (from street’s vendors and, Les Cayes markets and supermarkets). Those products were tested for AFs content using and following Reveal® Q+ aflatoxin test (Neogen® ) supply instruction. Results reveal that AF contaminations of substrates range from 2.7 and 119 ppb. Cereal products were more AF contaminated compared to tuber and moringa. Maize flour samples were more AF contaminated than rice. AF contaminations of maize seem to depend on provenance (p< 0.05). AF contaminations of maize from Iron and Relais markets were respectively 5.2 and 32.1 ppb. Moreover, AF contaminations of maize collected from street vendors represented almost seven times of that from Les Cayes supermarkets. Similar results suggest necessity to perform and develop programs for managing AF contaminations on baby food in Haiti. 

Keywords: Aflatoxin, flour, maize, cassava, moringa, rice.