Aflatoxin Contamination of Stored Groundnuts in Zimbabwe.

Abstract

Aflatoxins were analyzed in groundnuts stored for either local or export sales in the period 1982/83 to 1986/87. Four hundred and forty-one samples of seven groundnut varieties were collected for analysis. Sixty-eight percent of the samples had total concentrations of aIlatoxin BJ and OJ of up to 25 JIg kg-J. In the 1986/87 groundnut crop, the Flamingo and Makulu Red varieties, which constitute the bulk of export sales, had up to 25 JIgkg-J aIlatoxin BJin 79%of the samples, plus aIlatoxin OJ in 67% of the samples. Overall, the Egret variety was the most susceptible to aIlatoxin contamination during this period.