Aspergillus flavus and Aflatoxin B1 in maize flour sold in the markets of Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso)

Abstract

Maize, widely consumed in Burkina Faso remains a substrate appreciated by aflatoxigenic moulds. The objective of this study was to give the frequency of aflatoxins B1 and Aspergillus flavus in maize flour sold in Bobo Dioulasso. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Bobo-Dioulasso. From each of the 53 maize flour sellers, 150 g of maize flour was collected. A sanitary analysis was conducted to determine the rate of Aspergillus flavus contamination. A rapid detection kit was used for Aflatoxin B1 screening. The amounts of aflatoxin B1 detected were grouped into 4 classes: < 5 ng/g, [5- 10 [ng/g, [10- 20[ ng/g and ≥ 20 ng/g, and compare to the codex Alimentarius recommendations. The sanitary analysis showed that 90.57% of samples were contaminated by Aspergillus flavus, with an average contamination rate of 60.18%. This rate was significantly different between central and peripheral markets (p-value=0.02). Aflatoxin B1 was detected in 94.33% of samples, and 58.49% were above the codex Alimentarius recommendations for Aflatoxins B1(10 ng/g). The amounts of aflatoxin B1 increased with the average contamination rate by Aspergillus flavus (p < 0.001). About 60 % of maize flour sold in the markets of Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) is unsuitable for consumption.