Occurrence of aflatoxins in almonds

In this research, the occurrence and levels of aflatoxins (AFs) were determined in 30 raw and 50 roasted almonds purchased randomly from different retail shops in Corum and Istanbul. High performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD) was used for the determination of AFs. The analytical method used for AFs analysis was validated in terms of limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), recovery and repeatability. The LOD values of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 ranged between 0,053 and 0,070 μg kg-1. However, the LOQ values of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 ranged from 0,177 μg kg-1 to 0,234 μg kg-1. The recovery of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 varied from 88,4 to 92,9 %. The repeatabilities of AFs ranged from 2,8 to 5,8 %. No AFs were detected in 85 % of almonds. AFs were found in 12 out of 80 almonds (15 %) at levels ranging from 0,118 to 0,508 μg kg-1. AFs were detected in 3 raw almonds and 9 roasted almonds. None of the almond samples contained AFB1 or total AFs at levels higher than maximum limit (ML) established by European Commission and Turkish Food Codex Regulations (for AFB1: 8 μg kg-1, for total AFs: 10 μg kg-1). While AFB1 was found in all contaminated almond samples (n= 12), AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2 were detected only in one sample (1,3 %).