The determination of aflatoxins in cottonseed products

Abstract
A rapid and simplified procedure is proposed for the determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 in cottonseed products. The method involves extraction of aflatoxins essentially free of lipid contamination by equilibrium extraction with 70% acetone. Interfering gossypol pigments are removed from the aqueous acetone extract by precipitation as insoluble lead salts. Aflatoxins in the centrifugate are quantitatively separated from excess lead salts, residual pigments and carbohydrates by extraction into chloroform to yield final extracts for thin‐layer chromatographic (TLC) analysis on silica gel which are low in total solids and pigmentation. The procedure is sensitive to about 1 ppb in cottonseed meats and 4 ppb in cottonseed meal.