Aflatoxin B1 Contamination in Chicken Livers purchased from Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Aflatoxins are toxic carcinogenic contaminants found in foodstuff as well as in feeds and are believed to be the primary health hazard. Determination of aflatoxins in food stuff and feeds is thus very important. Occurrence of Aflatoxin B1 in chicken liver samples purchased from various chicken slaughtering shops located at different areas of Karachi, Pakistan, was investigated. A total of 120 chicken liver samples were analyzed for contamination of aflatoxin. Occurrence of aflatoxin was detected for 49 (40.38%) out of 120 of the samples evaluated. 27 (38.57%) out of 70 samples of normal, 15 (42.85%) out of 35 samples of moderate and 7 (46.67%) out of 15 samples of pale colored chicken liver were found positive. Maximum level of aflatoxin B1 was detected as 5.02μg/kg for pale colored chicken liver and minimum level 2.38μg/kg in normal chicken liver. The findings of current study (5.02μg/kg maximum and 2.38μg/kg minimum level) are found to be lower than the prescribed standard limits of aflatoxin B1 10μg/kg in human food in Pakistan. The contamination of aflatoxin in chicken liver could be a serious problem for the largest populated city of Karachi, where limited resources are available for the prevention and controlling of their levels in the food supply.