Aflatoxin Contamination in Selected Fresh Vegetables Sold At Samaru Market Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Aflatoxin is a common contaminant in agricultural produce, resulting from the growth of Aspergillus species under favourable temperature and moisture conditions. This study aimed to assess the level of aflatoxin contamination in fresh vegetables commonly consumed by the population. Nine different fresh vegetables were randomly collected in new polythene bags from Samaru Market, Zaria, Nigeria, and screened for aflatoxin contamination. The vegetables included onion, cabbage, bell pepper, pepper, pumpkin, tomato, peas, cucumber, and amaranthus. Aflatoxin contamination was determined using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. All samples tested positive for total aflatoxin contamination, with levels ranging from 2 to 100 μg/kg. Five of the nine samples, including onion, cabbage, amaranthus, tomato, and cucumber contained total aflatoxin levels exceeding the 10 μg/kg acceptable limit set by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), rendering them unsafe for human consumption.