Assessing protein digestibility in allergenicity risk assessment: A comparison of in silico and high throughput in vitro gastric digestion assays.

The susceptibility of a novel food protein to digestion in the pepsin resistance test is widely used to inform the allergenicity risk assessment process. However, it does not model the variation in the intragastric environment found in vivo. Consequently a 96-well plate format in vitro gastric digestion protocol has been developed with a high and low pepsin activity test executed at pH 1.2, 2.5, 5.5 and 6.5. It was used to analyse seven allergens (from milk, egg, peach and peanut) and two non-allergens (cytochrome c and zein). Digestion was monitored using SDS-PAGE and densitometry. In silico predictions were not confirmed experimentally for most of the proteins studied. Proteins were ranked according to half-life and showed susceptibility to digestion was related to the stability of protein structure and protein solubility rather than allergenicity per se. Highly digestible proteins, such as ß-casein and Ara h 1, generated abundant resistant fragments Mr > 3.5 kDa in the low pepsin activity test which could be immunologically significant within the context of allergenicity risk assessment for susceptible groups such as infants. The high- and low pepsin activity tests used in this study provided complementary data to support allergenicity risk assessment and used only 10 mg protein.

Occurrence and exposure assessment of aflatoxins in Zhejiang province, China.

The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of aflatoxins due to multiple food consumption among the Zhejiang population. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry method was used to determine aflatoxins in 792 samples. Aflatoxins were detected in 27.1% of the samples at levels between 0.07 and 262.63 µg kg-1, and aflatoxins B1 was the most frequently detected among different types of samples. 0.8% of peanut oil, 3.39% of nut products as well as 1.1% of condiments contaminated with aflatoxins B1 exceeded China national tolerance limits. Peanut oil had the highest incidence of aflatoxin, with a range from 0.17 to 22.50 µg kg-1. Using bags conferred limited advantages in reducing aflatoxin contents. Moreover, peanut and rice were the main contributors to dietary exposure to aflatoxins among Zhejiang residents. Finally, the margin of exposure values obtained by rice consumption were far from the safe margin of 10,000, indicating a potential risk to public health. The results pointed out the need for further prioritization of aflatoxins B1 risk-management actions in Zhejiang.

A Nationwide Study of Residual Fate of Fluxapyroxad and Its Metabolites in Peanut Crops Across China: Assessment of Human Exposure Potential.

Elaborating on the residual fate of fluxapyroxad and its metabolites based on their nationwide application was vital to protect the human population from their hazardous effects. In this study, a rapid and sensitive analytical method was developed to trace fluxapyroxad and two of its metabolites in peanut matrices using an ultrahigh chromatography method coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC−MS/MS) within 3.5 min. The occurrence, pharmacokinetic degradation and terminal magnitudes of fluxapyroxad were reflected in the original deposition of 8.41−38.15 mg/kg, half−lives of 2.5−8.6 d and final concentrations of 0.004−37.38 mg/kg in peanut straw. The total concentrations of fluxapyroxad in peanut straw (0.04−39.28 mg/kg) were significantly higher than those in peanut kernels (<0.001−0.005 mg/kg) and an obvious concentration effect was observed in fresh (0.01−11.56 mg/kg) compared dried peanut straw (0.04−38.97 mg/kg). Fluxapyroxad was demethylated to 3−(difluoromethyl)−N−(3',4',5'−trifluoro[1,1'−biphenyl]−2−yl)−1H−pyrazole−4−carboxamide (M700F008, 0.02−5.69 mg/kg) and further N−glycosylated to 3−(difluoromethyl)−1−(ß−D−glucopyranosyl)−N−(3',4',5'−triflurobipheny−2−yl)−1H−pyrzaole−4−carboxamide (M700F048, 0.04−39.28 mg/kg).The risk quotients of the total fluxapyroxad for the urban groups were significantly higher than those for the rural groups, and were both negatively correlated with the age of the groups, although both acute (ARfD%, 0.006−0.012%) and chronic (ADI%, 0.415−1.289%) risks are acceptable for the human population. The high-potential health risks of fluxapyroxad should be continuously emphasized for susceptible toddlers (1−3 years), especially those residing in urban areas.

Process intensification and kinetic studies of ultrasound-assisted extraction of flavonoids from peanut shells.

In this work, extraction of flavonoids from peanut shells has been studied in the presence of ultrasound and the results are compared with Soxhlet and heat reflux extraction for establishing the process intensification benefits. The process optimization for understanding the effects of operating parameters, such as ethanol concentration, particle size, solvent to solid ratio, extraction temperature, ultrasonic power and ultrasonic frequency, on the extraction of flavonoids has been investigated in details. The highest extraction yield (9.263 mg/g) of flavonoids was achieved in 80 min at optimum operating parameters of particle size of 0.285 mm, solvent to solid ratio of 40 ml/g, extraction temperature of 55 °C, ultrasonic power of 120 W and ultrasonic frequency of 45 kHz with 70% ethanol as the solvent. Two kinetic models (i.e. phenomenological model and Peleg's model) have been introduced to describe the extraction kinetic of flavonoids by fitting experimental data and predict kinetic parameters. Good performance with slight loss of goodness of fit of two models was found by comparing their coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE) and/or mean percentage error (MPE) values. This work would provide the reduction of degradation and the economic evaluation for the extraction processes of flavonoids from peanut shells, as well as give a better explanation for the mechanism of ultrasound.

Updated population minimal eliciting dose distributions for use in risk assessment of 14 priority food allergens.

Food allergy and allergen management are important global public health issues. In 2011, the first iteration of our allergen threshold database (ATDB) was established based on individual NOAELs and LOAELs from oral food challenge in roughly 1750 allergic individuals. Population minimal eliciting dose (EDp) distributions based on this dataset were published for 11 allergenic foods in 2014. Systematic data collection has continued (2011-2018) and the dataset now contains over 3400 data points. The current study provides new and updated EDp values for 14 allergenic foods and incorporates a newly developed Stacked Model Averaging statistical method for interval-censored data. ED01 and ED05 values, the doses at which 1%, and respectively 5%, of the respective allergic population would be predicted to experience any objective allergic reaction were determined. The 14 allergenic foods were cashew, celery, egg, fish, hazelnut, lupine, milk, mustard, peanut, sesame, shrimp (for crustacean shellfish), soy, walnut, and wheat. Updated ED01 estimates ranged between 0.03 mg for walnut protein and 26.2 mg for shrimp protein. ED05 estimates ranged between 0.4 mg for mustard protein and 280 mg for shrimp protein. The ED01 and ED05 values presented here are valuable in the risk assessment and subsequent risk management of allergenic foods.

Low-cost sugarcane bagasse and peanut shell magnetic-composites applied in the removal of carbofuran and iprodione pesticides.

In the present study, two agro-industrial wastes, sugarcane bagasse, and peanut shell were employed as support of magnetite nanoparticles for the synthesis of magnetic bio-composites: magnetic sugarcane bagasse (MBO) and magnetic peanut shell (MPSo). The presence of magnetite was verified by Raman spectroscopy. Magnetic nanoparticles shape and size distribution were studied by TEM, while composites morphologies were observed by SEM. Structural characteristics of the pesticides and their possible chemical adsorption on composites were analyzed by FTIR. The removal was carried out by a batch adsorption process, and UV-VIS technique was used for pesticide concentration estimation. Elovich model described better all systems pointing out to a chemical adsorption process occurring. Experimental data isotherms of carbofuran and iprodione can be best explained by more than one mathematical model, but Sip was the ordinary equation in all systems. Maximum adsorption capacities of 175 and 89.3 mg/g for carbofuran, and 119 and 2.76 mg/g for iprodione, were obtained for MBo and MPSo, respectively.

Residual behavior and risk assessment of butralin in peanut fields.

Butralin is widely used to control single-leaf weeds and some dicotyledons. The application of butralin in the environment may cause residue beyond regulation criteria and residual toxicity. Therefore, it is important to detect and supervise the dissipation behavior of butralin in edible raw food and in the environment. The aim of this study was to monitor butralin in peanuts and soil under farmland conditions and examine the likely dietary risk assessment of butralin for Chinese people on the basis of residual concentrations. A method for the analysis of butralin residue and its dissipation in peanut plants and soil under field conditions was investigated. The results show that an analytical method for the quantization of butralin in peanuts and soil utilizing gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD) was developed. Standard recovery experiments using three different butralin spiking levels of 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg kg-1 in different samples (i.e., peanut kernels, shell, seedling, stalk, and soil) were conducted. The recoveries of butralin from all matrices ranged from 86 to 108% with relative standard deviations from 3 to 6% (n = 5). The limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method was 0.01 mg kg-1. After storage at - 20 °C for 365 days, the degradation rate of residues of butralin in peanut kernels was less than 30%, which met the storage stability test criteria for pesticide residues in stored commodities of plant origin. The dissipation half-lives of butralin ranged from 4.2 to 6.6 days and 4.6 to 6.6 days in peanut seedlings and soil, respectively, in farmland ecosystems. At the normal harvest time, the final residue concentrations of butralin in peanuts and soil were all below the LOQ. The final total risk quotient (RQ) values were much lower than RQ = 100%, which indicated that the long-run fitness risk associated with butralin residue in different groups of registered crops is correspondingly low for people in China. The current research results could offer guidance for the rational use of butralin and provide data support for the building of maximum residue limits (MRLs) in China.

Comparative assessment of high-intensity ultrasound and hydrodynamic cavitation processing on physico-chemical properties and microbial inactivation of peanut milk.

Ultra-sonication (US) at varying intensities (200 W, 300 W and 400 W) and hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) at increasing pressures (6 bar, 8 bar and 10 bar) on freshly extracted peanut milk as non-thermal processing of milk for enhanced quality. The effects of US and HC was investigated on physico-chemical properties of peanut milk, microbial inactivation (total plate count and yeasts and molds), microstructure by optical microscopy and particle size, ζ-potential, sedimentation index, rheology and color measurements. The high temperature short time (HTST) treated milk samples have shown 1.53 and 2 log reduction in TPC, yeast and molds respectively with highest protein hydrolysis of 15.7%. Among the non-thermal treatments HC has shown highest log reduction of TPC at around 1.2 for sample treated at 10 bar pressure, whereas the US treatment was most effective for yeast and mold at 400 W with log reduction of 0.9. A non-Newtonian flow behaviour was observed for all peanut milk samples. Viscosity determined by Herschel-Bulkley equation decreased significantly (p > 0.05) after both cavitation treatments. The US was found to be superior to HC and HTST with improved separation index and colour attributes. Therefore, the US and HC appear to be a remarkable non-thermal processing methods for peanut milk and or any dairy or non-dairy beverages.

Carboxin and its major metabolites residues in peanuts: Levels, dietary intake and chronic intake risk assessment.

We developed an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectral method to determine the fungicide carboxin and its metabolites, oxycarboxin and carboxin sulfoxide in peanut samples. The method was used to detect the concentration of the analytes in the samples from fields and markets. The total residue quantities in peanut kernels were used to evaluate the chronic dietary risk of total carboxin upon peanut consumption. The estimated dietary intake of carboxin from peanuts whose seeds had been treated with carboxin at the recommended dose was between 0.020% and 0.344% of acceptable daily intake and the risk was found to be negligible. The chronic dietary risk assessment from markets and commercial field samples for various groups of humans indicated that the group with the greatest degree of exposure was 45 to 75-year-old women who lived in rural areas. However, their acceptable daily intake percentage was 0.006%, meaning that their health risk was extremely small.

Assessment of anti-diabetic activity of peanut shell polyphenol extracts.

The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic property of peanut shell polyphenol extracts (PSPEs). Diabetic rats were oral-administrated with PSPE at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) per day for 28 consecutive days, with metformin (Met) as a positive control. The results showed that, similar to the Met treatment, administration of PSPE caused significant decreases in food intake, water intake, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and methane dicarboxylic aldehyde in serum, and significant increases in BW, insulin level, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and liver glycogen. Further, glucose tolerance was markedly improved in the PSPE-treated diabetic groups. Histopathological results showed that PSPE improved cellular structural and pathological changes in liver, kidney, and pancreatic islets. Collectively, the results indicated that the hypoglycemic effects of PSPE on high-fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced diabetes are comparable to Met, though their exact mechanism actions are still under investigation. Therefore, the current study suggests that PSPE could be a potential health-care food supplement in the management of diabetes.

A Critical Review of Aflatoxin Contamination of Peanuts in Malawi and Zambia: The Past, Present, and Future.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important crop in Malawi and Zambia. The crop is valued for soil improvement in cereal-based cropping systems, for improving the livelihoods of farming households who consume it and also sell it for cash, and for earning foreign exchange when exported. Research and development efforts have resulted in an increase in both peanut production area and productivity. However, a key challenge that still needs to be solved in these countries is how to produce peanuts with acceptable levels of aflatoxin contamination. Data continues to show that aflatoxin continues to be a problem in both formal and informal trade. As a result, unlike 30 years ago, most of the peanut trade has now shifted to domestic and regional markets that do not restrict the sale of aflatoxin-contaminated peanuts. Impacts of aflatoxin contamination on health and also on the full cost burden of control are not well documented. Technologies are available for mitigating against aflatoxin contamination. The advantages, disadvantages, and gaps associated with these technologies are discussed. Considerable money and effort continues to be invested in Malawi and Zambia into mitigating aflatoxin contamination, but evidence of long-term success is limited. Based on past and current initiatives, the prospects of eliminating aflatoxin in the near future at the household level and in trade are not promising.

Ultrafast Multiplexed-Allergen Detection through Advanced Fluidic Design and Monolithic Interferometric Silicon Chips.

A silicon-based miniaturized sensor chip combined with an advanced microfluidic module for the simultaneous, label-free immunochemical determination of four allergens, bovine milk protein, peanut protein, soy protein, and gliadin, is presented. The sensor chip consists of an array of 10 broad-band Mach-Zehnder interferometers (BB-MZIs) monolithically integrated on silicon, along with their respective broad-band light sources. The BB-MZIs were biofunctionalized with the targeted allergens and their responses during immunoreaction were monitored by multiplexing their transmission spectra through an external miniaturized spectrometer. The assay is performed by running mixtures of calibrators or samples with the antibodies against the four allergens followed by an antispecies specific antibodies solution. Employing a fluidic module of nearly one-dimensional geometry, that provided for uniform delivery of the reagents, CV values <6% were achieved for the responses of the 10 BB-MZIs, allowing for reliable multianalyte determinations. The analysis is completed in 6.5 min, and the detection limits were 0.04 µg/mL for bovine k-casein, 1.0 µg/mL for peanut protein, 0.80 µg/mL for soy protein, and 0.10 µg/mL for gliadin. The assays were accurate (recoveries 88-118%) and repeatable (intra- and interassay CVs <7% for all four allergens). Finally, the sensor was evaluated by analyzing samples from a cleaning in place system (CIP) of a dairy industry and the results obtained were in good agreement with those received by the respective ELISAs. The analytical characteristics of the sensor combined with the short analysis time and the small chip size make the proposed system an ideal tool for on-site multianalyte determinations.

Environmental exposure to peanut and the risk of an allergic reaction.

OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence of the risk of environmental exposure to peanut to a peanut allergic individual. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: A narrative review was performed using a PubMed search of relevant articles involving peanut environmental distribution, environmental peanut abatement, and public policy regarding peanut restriction. RESULTS: Data from 4 studies have shown that peanut butter vapors and smeared peanut butter on skin do not cause systemic reactions, that peanut can be abated from hands and surfaces using appropriate cleaning agents, and that shelled peanut dust does not become airborne. Studies have recently confirmed dose of 1.5 mg of peanut protein would be generally tolerated by approximately 95% of the peanut-allergic population based on objective symptoms in challenge-based studies, affirming earlier research. Restrictive policies that focus on bans (or restricted presence in certain areas) of peanuts or peanut-containing products in environments such as schools or on commercial aircraft are not backed by evidence that such measures work, which may raise an uncomfortable clash between accommodations that lack any medical evidence of necessity and a desire to provide measures that comfort our patients. CONCLUSION: There is little risk posed from non-oral exposure to peanut in the environment, from casual contact, proximity, or inhalation. If 5% of the population may tolerate a threshold of approximately 1.5 mg of peanut protein, this may help liberate behavior and situational-decision making regarding the necessity of certain avoidances and restrictions. Continued work is needed to dispel myths about the mechanisms of how peanut may induce an allergic reaction.

Assessment of peanut allergen Ara h1 in processed foods using a SWCNTs-based nanobiosensor.

The goals of this research were to develop a rapid single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-based biosensor and to employ it to commercial food products for Ara h1 detection. The SWCNT-based biosensor was fabricated with SWCNTs immobilized with antibody (pAb) through hybridization of 1-pyrenebutanoic acid succinimidyl ester (1-PBASE) as a linker. The resistance difference (ΔR) was calculated by measuring linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) using a potentiostat. Resistance values increased as the concentration of Ara h1 increased over the range of 1 to 105 ng/L. The specific binding of anti-Ara h1 pAb to antigen including Ara h1 was confirmed by both indirect ELISA kit and biosensor assay. The biosensor was exposed to extracts prepared from commercial processed food containing peanuts, or no peanuts, and could successfully distinguish the peanut containing foods. In addition, the application of present biosensor approach documented the precise detection of Ara h1 concentrations in commercially available peanut containing foods.

Risk assessment of aflatoxin B1 exposure from maize and peanut consumption in Indonesia using the margin of exposure and liver cancer risk estimation approaches.

Aflatoxin B1 (AfB1) is a secondary fungal metabolite product widely found in many foodstuffs and considered a public health concern worldwide due to its genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Tropical climate and inappropriate food safety practices in Indonesia are the favorable conditions for AfB1 contamination of foodstuffs. Despite these challenges, there has been a limited number of risk assessment of AfB1 conducted in Indonesia. Therefore, this paper aimed to gather all available occurrence data of AfB1 in maize and peanut originating from Indonesia and used the occurrence data to evaluate the risk of exposure to AfB1 using the Margin of Exposure (MOE) and the quantitative liver cancer risk approaches established by EFSA and FAO/WHO respectively. Risk assessment using both the MOE and quantitative liver cancer risk approaches revealed that AfB1 exposure from maize and peanut consumption in Indonesia is of concern. The MOE values derived from consumption of maize and peanut originating from Indonesia were generally below 10,000, and for several occurrence data were even below 1000. The estimated number of liver cancer cases associated with AfB1 exposure generally was above the 0.1 cancer cases/100,000 individuals/75 years. Altogether the evaluation reveals the urgency for risk management of AfB1 in Indonesia.

Methylene Blue Adsorption on a Low Cost Adsorbent-Carbonized Peanut Shell.

Carbonized peanut shell (CPS), a low cost adsorbent was investigated for adsorption of methylene blue from its aqueous solution. Some experimental parameters like the effect of initial dye concentration, initial solution pH, phases contact time and temperature were investigated. Langmuir, Freundlich and Harkins-Jura isotherm models were applied to the experimental data and Langmuir model fitted best. Monolayer adsorption capacity was 5.34 mg/g according to the Langmuir model. Adsorption capacity/uptake of CPS was found comparable to the some other adsorbent materials. The kinetic and intra particle diffusion models were applied to the experimental data. The experimental reaction was progressed via pseudo second order kinetic model. The thermodynamic parameters were also evaluated.

An Assessment of Willingness To Pay by Maize and Groundnut Farmers for Aflatoxin Biocontrol Product in Northern Nigeria.

In Nigeria, Aflasafe is a registered biological product for reducing aflatoxin infestation of crops from the field to storage, making the crops safer for consumption. The important questions are whether farmers will purchase and apply this product to reduce aflatoxin contamination of crops, and if so under what conditions. A study was carried out to address these questions and assess determinants of willingness to pay (WTP) for the product among maize and groundnut farmers in Kano and Kaduna states in Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to collect primary data from 492 farmers. The majority of farmers who had direct experience with Aflasafe (experienced farmers) in Kano (80.7%) and Kaduna (84.3%) had a WTP bid value equal to or greater than the threshold price ($10) at which Aflasafe was to be sold. The mean WTP estimates for Aflasafe for experienced farmers in Kano and Kaduna were statistically the same. However, values of $3.56 and $7.46 were offered in Kano and Kaduna states, respectively, by farmers who had never applied Aflasafe (inexperienced farmers), and the difference here was significant (P < 0.01). Regression results indicate that contact with extension agents (P < 0.01) and access to credit (P < 0.05) positively and significantly influenced the probability that a farmer would be willing to pay more for Aflasafe than the threshold price. Lack of awareness of the importance of Aflasafe was the major reason cited by inexperienced farmers (64% in Kano state and 21% in Kaduna state) for not using the product. A market strategy promoting a premium price for aflatoxin-safe produce and creating awareness and explaining the availability of Aflasafe to potential users should increase Aflasafe usage.

Mycotoxin risk assessment for consumers of groundnut in domestic markets in Nigeria.

The fungal and multi-mycotoxin profiles of groundnuts sold in domestic markets in Nigeria as well as the associated risk to consumers were assessed in the present study. Four hundred fungal isolates representing mainly Aspergillus [58.6%: Aspergillus section Flavi (37.1%) and A. niger-clade (21.5%)], Penicillium (40.9%) and Fusarium (0.5%) were isolated from 82 (97.6%, n=84) groundnut samples collected from four agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Nigeria. The incidence of aflatoxin-producing A. flavus isolates (71%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the groundnuts than that of the non-aflatoxigenic isolates (29%). Fifty-four fungal metabolites [including aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2 and AFM1), beauvericin (BEAU), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), moniliformin, nivalenol and ochratoxin A] and four bacterial metabolites were detected in the groundnuts by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Aflatoxins (39%; max: 2076µg/kg; mean: 216µg/kg) were detected in more samples than any other mycotoxin. About 25, 23 and 14% of the samples respectively were above the 2µg/kg AFB1, 4 and 20µg/kg total aflatoxin limits of the European Union and US FDA respectively. The mean margins of exposure of AFB1 and total aflatoxins for adult consumers were 1665 and 908, respectively, while mean estimated daily intake values for infants, children and adults were <0.1% for BEAU and 4% for CPA. Consumers of mycotoxin contaminated groundnuts in Nigeria may therefore be at a risk of liver cancer in addition to other combinatory effects of mycotoxin/metabolite cocktails. There is need for increased targeted interventions in the groundnut value chain in Nigeria for public health benefits.

Rapid characterization of trace aflatoxin B1 in groundnuts, wheat and maize by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by direct electrospray probe tandem mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE: Aflatoxins are poisonous and cancer-related chemical compounds commonly found in crops and plants. Aflatoxin B1 is the most toxic compound among aflatoxins and has been classified as group 1 carcinogenic to humans, especially in liver cancer. Herein, an ambient mass spectrometric method was developed for rapid characterization of trace aflatoxin B1 in peanuts. METHODS: Direct electrospray probe tandem mass spectrometry (DEP-MS/MS) was used to detect aflatoxin B1 in peanuts. To avoid the matrix effect, the aflatoxin B1 in the samples was extracted and concentrated by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction. The mass spectrometer was operated in the positive ion mode to monitor the intact molecular ion (m/z 313, MH+ ) and product ion (m/z 241) of aflatoxin B1 using multiple reaction monitoring. RESULTS: Since no clean-up procedure of the sample was required, the sampling step and the subsequent mass spectrometric detection of the aflatoxin B1 was completed in less than 5 min. The limit of detection of aflatoxin B1 is at the sub-ppb level. The results obtained by DEP-MS/MS were also validated by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Recovery of aflatoxin B1 in the sample was evaluated by analyzing spiked aflatoxin B1 with LC/MS/MS to be 85% and DEP-MS/MS to be 84%. CONCLUSIONS: DEP-MS/MS combined with a simple dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure was successfully used for the quantitative analysis of AFB1 in nut samples. Due to its high efficiency, it is promising in providing important toxicological information for food safety in the real world. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Aspergillus and aflatoxin in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and groundnut cake in Eastern Ethiopia.

This study was conducted to assess major Aspergillus species and aflatoxins associated with groundnut seeds and cake in Eastern Ethiopia and evaluate growers' management practices. A total of 160 groundnut seed samples from farmers' stores and 50 groundnut cake samples from cafe and restaurants were collected. Fungal isolation was done from groundnut seed samples. Aspergillus flavus was the dominant species followed by Aspergillus parasiticus. Aflatoxin analyses of groundnut seed samples were performed using ultra performance liquid chromatography; 22.5% and 41.3% of samples were positive, with total aflatoxin concentrations of 786 and 3135 ng g-1 from 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 samples, respectively. The level of specific aflatoxin concentration varied between 0.1 and 2526 ng g-1 for B2 and B1, respectively. Among contaminated samples of groundnut cake, 68% exhibited aflatoxin concentration below 20 ng g-1, while as high as 158 ng g-1 aflatoxin B1 was recorded. The study confirms high contamination of groundnut products in East Ethiopia.