Aflatoxin concentrations in locally processed Groundnut products in the Tamale Metropolis

Abstract

This study determined the aflatoxin levels in processed groundnut products in the Tamale metropolis. A simple random sampling technique was used to obtain roasted groundnuts, groundnut paste, kulikuli, and kulikulizim samples from three markets in the Metropolis. A total of 36 locally processed groundnut products were obtained and analyzed for total aflatoxin concentration, using the Reveal Q+ aflatoxin test method.  All the groundnut products sampled tested positive with values ranging from 1.7 to 519 ppb. The most aflatoxin-contaminated product was kulikuli followed by kulikulizim. The roasted groundnut recorded the lowest mean total aflatoxin concentration of 21 ppb which was the closest to the acceptable limit of total aflatoxin (20 ppb) in Ghana. The high aflatoxin levels in kulikuli is a health concern that needs urgent attention.