Assessment of Aflatoxin B₁ Content of some Local Rice Cultivars in Kaduna State-Nigeria

Feka, D.P.,¹ * Anhwange, B.A.,² and Adie, P.A. ²

1. Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology, Zaria

2. Department of Chemistry, Benue State University, Makurdi

*Corresponding Authors email: banhwange@gmail.com

Abstract

Thirty-nine samples of rice were collected from thirteen Local Government Areas in Kaduna State and analysed for Aflatoxin B₁ using the Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Concentrations of aflatoxin B₁ was highest (177.2 µg/kg), in sample obtained at Sanga Local Government Area. These values were above the permissible limits described by some regulatory bodies like National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), European Union (EU) and European African Community (EAC). The concentrations (0.3µg/kg) of samples obtained from Kauru Local Government Area were observed to be the lowest. Generally, the rice samples investigated were found to contain varying concentrations of aflatoxin B1. This implies that direct consumption of the rice without pretreatment to reduce the aflatoxin content could be detrimental to health.

Keywords: Aflatoxin, Kaduna, Mycotoxicosis, Mycotoxicosis, Rice