aflatoxin incidence on groundnut at different stages of crop handling and processing

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.