Investigation of fungi and mycotoxins contamination in some herbal slimming mixtures in Baquba city- Iraq

This study was conducted to detect the contamination of some herbal slimming mixtures with mycotoxins producing fungi. Five of the most popular herbal slimming mixture samples in Baquba city were collected and investigated. The results revealed that 80% of the examined samples were contaminated with fungi. 40 fungal isolates were recorded with a total count ranging from 0.66×10-3 to 6.66×10-3 belonging to 4 different genera Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Mucor, Alternaria in addition to four imperceptible fungal isolates. Aspergillus niger recorded the highest percentage of frequency and appearance with 50% and 75% respectively. HPLC analysis showed that about 80% of the samples showed the presence of mycotoxins such as Aflatoxin B1, Aflatoxin B2, Aflatoxin G1 and Ochratoxin A in different concentration. First sample recorded 3.50 ng/gm of Aflatoxin B2 and 6.79 ng/gm (Aflatoxin G1), sample (2) recorded Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxin B1 in concentration 2.892 ng/gm and 2.877 ng/gm, sample (3) recorded Ochratoxin A in concentration 5.424 ng/gm, sample (5) showed presence Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxin B1 with concentrations 4.121 ng/gm and 3.061 ng/gm respectively. The results showed that Fumonisins, Aflatoxin G2 and Patulin were not present in all samples.