DETERMINATION AND DETOXIFICATION OF AFLATOXIN IN CEREAL SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM DIFFERENT AREAS OF LAHORE

Objectives: Aflatoxin contamination of cereals and poultry feed causes significant financial loss and poses a risk withserious health implications for both humans and animals. Present research was conducted to check the occurrence ofaflatoxins B1 in cereals including pulses and poultry feed and to evaluate the potential of different techniques inremoving aflatoxin contamination from cereals. Methodology: 112 cereal samples which comprised of varieties of pulses and cereals used as poultry feed (yellow splitchickpeas, Barley, sorghum, wheat bran, corn seeds and oat) were collected from various locations of Lahore.Quantitative analyses were performed through Thin Layer Chromatography and High-Performance LiquidChromatography techniques. Detoxification of mycotoxin (Aflatoxin) contaminated samples was carried out throughboth chemical and physical methods. Results and Conclusion: Aflatoxins were found in 36% (n=40) of the samples, with concentrations ranging from 2.073to 23.03µg/kg-1. Selective 7 samples belonging to seven food types i.e., sorghum, yellow split chickpea, barley, wheatbran, corn and poultry feed mixture rendering negative aflatoxin results, were subjected to HPLC to confirm and validatethe results of TLC. HPLC having declared as more sensitive technique gave positive results for three out of sevensamples that previously were found negative for AFB1 in samples subjected to TLC analysis. The concentration detectedranges between 0.02-0.42µg/kg-1. Detoxification studies conducted through implementation of both physical andchemical methods proved the efficacy of both methods under variable conditions. Study hence suggested that acomprehensive and regular national level intensive monitoring and surveillance plan is required to improve the qualityand storage of pulses and poultry feed in Pakistan.