Incidence of Aflatoxins, Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone in products commercialized in the cities of Minas Gerais state in 1998-2000

The presence of mycotoxins was verified in samples of peanut and peanut products (aflatoxins), corn meal, cereal flakes and oats flakes (zearalenone), wheat flour, bran and bakery products (deoxynivalenol). The samples were acquired in supermarkets, in the cities of state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Thin layer chromatography methods were employed to quantify aflatoxins and deoxynivalenol, and a high performance liquid chromatography method was used for zearalenone. Aflatoxins were detected in 66 of the 120 samples tested. Fifty six samples had total aflatoxins levels (B sub(1) + B sub(2) + G sub(1) + G sub(2)) above those established by Brazilian regulations (Ministry of Agriculture) and 54 samples showed aflatoxins levels (B sub(1) + G sub(1)) above those established by Ministry of Health. The concentration of total aflatoxins ranged from 3 to 2714 mu g/Kg and the mean concentration was 960 mu g/Kg. Deoxynivalenol (DON) was detected in 32 out of 47 samples analysed. The concentration of DON ranged from 40 to 1205 mu g/Kg. Only one sample of oat flakes was found to be contaminated with zearalenone (8.5 mu g/Kg) out of 34 samples of cereal products examined.