Aflatoxins in maize and groundnuts on markets in Accra and consumers risk

This study presents the results of aflatoxin contamination of maize and groundnuts in major markets in Accra and assesses the population's exposure to aflatoxins. Raw maize and groundnuts from 6 major markets in Accra were sampled and analysed for their aflatoxin content. A total of 92 samples comprising 48 maize and 44 groundnuts were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography, after extraction with methanol/water and cleanup on an immunoaffinity column. Total aflatoxins were quantified in 98% of the maize samples and 70% of the groundnut samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.60 to 1065 µg/kg and 0.20 to 627 µg/kg, respectively. Exposure assessment showed an estimated daily intake of 0.436 μg/kg bw/day and 0.0632 μg/kg bw/day for maize and groundnut consumption, respectively, suggesting significant health risks for consumers. The high prevalence and concentrations of aflatoxins call for an urgent need for measures to control exposure of the Ghanaian population.