Analysis of Aflatoxins in South Carolina Farm’s Corn, Peanut, Wheat, Soybean, and Cottonseed

Abstract

The mold Aspergillus grows on several raw food commodities and produces highly toxic compounds known as aflatoxins. These compounds can cause developmental and immune system suppression, cancer, and death if ingested. The aim of this study was to determine the aflatoxin levels in various crops obtained from farms in South Carolina, USA. Aflatoxin levels were measured using the Vicam Virtu Reader and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The Vicam Virtu Reader utilized five grams of corn and peanuts blended and placed into an extraction tube containing 25 ml of 70% methanol. The sample mixture was placed on the AlfaV test strip for readings. For use of the HPLC, the samples were analyzed by isocratic using 60:20:20 water/methanol/acetonitrile mixture as the mobile phase. Results from the Vicam Virtu Reader indicated corn samples and peanut samples had aflatoxin levels below 25 ppb established by the USDA. When the HPLC analysis was done on soybean, wheat, and cottonseed, all results were below 25 ppb as well. A food safety survey was administered to 190 farmers to ascertain their familiarity with aflatoxins. Sixteen percent (16%) reported they heard about it. In conclusion, storage conditions of the crops can affect the level of aflatoxins. The Vicam Virtu Reader is a fast method to identify aflatoxin levels in crops. The HPLC has the advantage of separating aflatoxins into subgroups even at low levels. The aflatoxin levels were low and safe for export and consumption.