Occurrence of Aflatoxin and Aflatoxigenic Molds in Foods and Feed in Spain

Abstract

A survey was carried out to obtain data on the occurrence of aflatoxin and aflatoxigenic mold contamination of foods in Spain. A variety of commodities amounting to 338 samples were analyzed, comprising cereal grains, mixed feeds, edible nuts, wheat flour for bread-making, biscuits, sliced bread, soya beans and breakfast cereals. The results reveal a rather low incidence of aflatoxin contamination in samples tested. Aflatoxins were detected in 4 of 27 samples of mixed feeds at levels below 5 μg/kg; one sample of peanuts was contaminated with 120 μg aflatoxin B₁/kg and 22 μg aflatoxin B₂/kg. Aflatoxins B₁ and B₂ were also detected in a lot of whole maize flour, averaging 8 μg/kg and 3 μg/kg, respectively. Of a total of 288 samples tested, 100% showed variable incidences of fungal contamination. Maize samples were the ones most frequently contaminated with Aspergillus flavus (54.5%). Strains of A. flavus isolated from maize samples also showed the highest proportion of aflatoxigenic molds (17.2%) compared with those isolated from other sources.