Analysis of aflatoxin contamination in Myanmar agricultural commodities

Abstract

This manuscript provides data on the analysis of aflatoxin (AFs) contamination in Myanmar agricultural commodities which were intended for export and domestic consumption from 2008 to 20151). Most of the samples were white rice, broken rice, parboiled rice, green mung bean, black sesame seed, white sesame seed, black matpe, butter bean, toor whole, peyin bean (bamboo bean) and yellow maize. The total AFs concentration of these samples was quantitatively analyzed by the Romer method using thin layer chromatography with visual estimation2). Aflatoxin (AF) B1 contamination was frequently detected in all of the contaminated samples, however, AFG1 and AFG2 contamination with no AFB1 group was found in one sample of broken rice from 2014. In addition, some samples were contaminated with not only AFB1 but also AFB2 and AFG1. A sample that contained all four kinds of AFs was not found. A 2008 yellow maize sample was found to have the highest concentration of AFB1 (30.35 μg/kg). Generally, the most highly contaminated samples were below the permissible limits for total AF levels as regulated by the European Union and Codex Alimentarius Commission.