Abstract:
The groundnut is an important food and cash crop in Sudan.
In the view of aflatoxin effects on human health and economy as it
is proved to be carcinogenic, strict quality regulations have been imposed
by groundnut imported countries. Consequently, the groundnut export has
fallen sharply in Sudan in the last years resulting in hard currency
decrease in national income revenues.
The main objective of this study is to determine the levels of
aflatoxin in groundnut at different stages of crop handling and processing
from production to export to find out the critical point of contamination
and to propose the necessary recommendations to reduce the aflatoxin
contamination.
In this research 149 of groundnut samples were collected from
western Sudan at different stages of crop handling and processing and
analysed for aflatoxin contamination and some physical properties were
also determined.
The results showed that the most critical crop contamination levels
are, auction market, humid and oil mills stores.
In order to reduce aflatoxin contamination of groundnut in Sudan,
careful pre and post harvest handling practices and improved storage
conditions should be taken. Another important measure is the regular
quality control in auction markets and before processing of groundnut.
