Evaluation of Aflatoxin in Gossypium hirsutum (Cottonseeds) and Arachis hypogaea (Peanuts)

Abstract

A total of ten (10) samples, five (5) samples each of peanuts and cotton seeds, were obtained for analysis from different locations/markets in Funtua, Katsina state, Nigeria. The analyses included mould isolation and aflatoxin extraction to isolate the major aflatoxigenic fungi and identify the type of aflatoxin present in the samples. Aspergillus flavus was present in only 1 (20%) cottonseed and 4 (80%) peanut samples. Other fungal species isolated were Aspergillus niger in 3 (60%) peanut samples and Rhizopus spp. in all the 5 (100%) cottonseeds and 3 (60%) peanut samples. The samples were defatted, and aflatoxin extraction was carried out using chloroform and water (100:10) as the extraction solvent. The extracts were concentrated using a rotary evaporating machine and characterized using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) technique. Aflatoxin was detected in eight (8) samples (five samples of cotton seed and three samples of peanut).