Aflatoxin contamination in nuts marketed in Italy. Preliminary results

Background. Aflatoxins (AFs) are one of the main groups of mycotoxins produced by molds. Nuts, although recognized as a food with health benefits, are frequently contaminated by AFs. Study design. In this preliminary study we evaluated the contamination by total AFs and AFB1 in different types of nuts from different countries marketed in Apulia. Methods. Overall, 124 samples (almonds, apricot kernels, chestnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachios, walnuts and Brazil nut) were analyzed using an High-Performance Liquid Chromatography system. Results. Twenty samples (16.1%) were contaminated with AFs of which 55% were non-compliant, according to Reg. 165/2010. The median values (μg/kg) of total AFs and AFB1 were 16.6 and 15.1, respectively. Pistachios appeared more susceptible to AF contamination than the other nuts, with levels of total AFs ranging from 8.8 to 387.3 μg/kg and of AFB1 from 8.2 to 354.5 μg/kg. The majority of contaminated samples came from Asia and AF contamination was different in the various Asiatic sub-regions: regardless of the type of nuts, samples from Western Asia were the least contaminated. Conclusions. As geographical origin may influence the risk of contamination, in order to protect human health, customer countries should increase AF monitoring in nuts coming from those countries with favorable environments for the growth of aflatoxigenic molds or with less strict regulations.