Abstract

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Aflatoxin is a common contaminant of agricultural produce resulting from the growth of Aspergillus species under conditions of favourable temperature and moisture. This study was conducted to assess the level of aflatoxin contamination in fresh vegetables and tamarind used on daily basis by the populace. A total of 9 different fresh vegetables and tamarind samples were randomly collected in new polythene bags from Samaru market, Zaria, Nigeria, and were screened for aflatoxin contamination. The vegetables were onion, cabbage, bell pepper, pepper, pumpkin, tomato, peas, cucumber and amaranthus, and tamarind. Aflatoxin contamination was determined by using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). All the samples tested positive to total aflatoxin contamination ranging from 2 – 100 μg/kg. Six out of the 10 samples namely onion, cabbage, amaranthus, tomato, cucumber and tamarind contained total aflatoxin above the acceptable limit of 10 μg/kg set by National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), therefore, are not safe for human consumption.

Keywords: ELISA, Vegetables, Spice, Total Aflatoxin, NAFDAC