Aflatoxin Contamination (B1, B2, G1, G2) in Peanuts and Peanut Products

Introduction

Aflatoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain species of Aspergillus fungi, specifically Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Peanuts and peanut-derived products are especially prone to contamination with these toxins, which present serious health hazards and economic challenges. Aflatoxin contamination primarily occurs during pre-harvest, post-harvest, and storage phases, and it is influenced by environmental and handling conditions.

The four main types of aflatoxins found in peanuts are

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)
Aflatoxin B2 (AFB2)
Aflatoxin G1 (AFG1)
Aflatoxin G2 (AFG2)

Characteristics of Aflatoxins

Type	Toxicity	Fluorescence (UV light)	Occurrence
Aflatoxin B1	Most toxic and carcinogenic; classified as Group 1 carcinogen by IARC	Blue	Most common in peanuts due to favourable conditions for fungal growth
Aflatoxin B2	Lower toxicity compared to AFB1	Blue	Often co-occurs with AFB1
Aflatoxin G1	Slightly less toxic than AFB1	Green	Common in peanuts under certain conditions
Aflatoxin G2	Least toxic of the group	Green	Found alongside AFG1 in contaminated peanuts

Sources of Aflatoxin Contamination in Peanuts and Peanut Products

Source	Factors	Description
Pre-Harvest	High temperature, humidity, drought stress, soil contamination	Ideal conditions for fungal growth, weakened plants more vulnerable.
Soil Contamination	Fungal spores in soil	Soil acts as a reservoir for fungal spores, infecting damaged pods.
Harvesting Practices	Delayed harvest, mechanical damage	Extended exposure to fungal spores and entry points from mechanical damage.
Post-Harvest Handling	Improper drying, high moisture, contaminated equipment	High moisture content supports fungal growth; unclean equipment spreads spores.
Storage Conditions	High humidity, pests, damp containers	Moist, warm conditions accelerate fungal growth; pests damage peanuts.
Processing & Transport	Cross-contamination, lack of sanitation	Poor hygiene during processing and transport spreads contamination.

Health Implications of Aflatoxin Exposure

Aflatoxins, particularly AFB1, pose serious health risks:

Carcinogenic Effects: AFB1 is a potent liver carcinogen and a Group 1 carcinogen according to IARC.
Acute Toxicity: High exposure can lead to aflatoxicosis, causing liver failure, jaundice, and abdominal pain.
Chronic Exposure: Long-term intake of low doses can result in immunosuppression, stunted growth in children, and liver damage.

Testing and Monitoring

Regularly test peanut products for aflatoxin levels using reliable analytical methods such as

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Standards and Regulations

European Union Regulations

Maximum Levels

The EU sets maximum levels for various aflatoxins, notably:

Aflatoxin B1: 2.0 µg/kg in cereals.
Total aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2): 4.0 µg/kg in cereals.
For nuts, levels vary from 2 to 12 µg/kg for B1 and 4 to 15 µg/kg for total aflatoxins.

Regulatory Framework

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 establishes maximum levels for aflatoxins in foodstuffs.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 outlines methods for sampling and analysis of mycotoxins.
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 addresses specific conditions for foodstuffs imported from third countries due to contamination risks.

Guidance Documents

The EU provides guidance documents for competent authorities to ensure compliance with legislation on aflatoxins, which includes methods of control and monitoring.

Specific Limits for Milk

The maximum level of Aflatoxin M1 in milk is set at 0.05 µg/kg, with stricter limits for infant formula at 0.025 µg/kg

FSSAI Regulations

FSSAI has established limits for aflatoxins as follows:

S.No.	Name of the Contaminants	Article of the Food	Limit (µg/kg)
1	Total Aflatoxins	Cereal and cereal products	15
		Dried figs	10
		Arecanut or Betelnut	15
		Nuts:
		- Nuts for further processing	15
		- Ready to eat	15
		Oilseeds or oil:
		- Oilseeds for further processing	15
		- Ready to eat	15
		Pulses	15
		Spices/Spice Mix	30
		Food products containing the above food articles	20
2	Aflatoxin B1	Arecanut or Betelnut	10
		Cereal and cereal products	10
		Dried figs	10
		Nuts:
		- Nuts for further processing	10
		- Ready to eat	10
		Oilseeds or oil:
		- Oilseeds for further processing	10
		- Ready to eat	10
		Pulses	10
		Spices/Spice Mix	15
		Food products containing the above food articles	10
3	Aflatoxin M1	Milk (Liquid)	0.5
		Skimmed milk powder	6
		Whole milk powder	4

Eurofins role in testing Aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1, G2) in Peanuts and Peanut Products

Eurofins plays a significant role in testing aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) in peanuts and peanut products, ensuring food safety and compliance with regulatory standards. Aflatoxins are potent mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus fungi, which can contaminate peanuts during pre- or post-harvest stages. Here's how Eurofins supports this process:

Role of Eurofins in Testing Aflatoxins

State-of-the-Art Laboratories: Eurofins operates advanced laboratories equipped with high-sensitivity analytical technologies like High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), and ELISA, enabling accurate detection of aflatoxins at trace levels.

Regulatory Compliance

Eurofins ensures compliance with global regulatory limits, such as the European Union's maximum allowable levels for aflatoxins in peanuts The company also adheres to standards set by the FDA, Codex Alimentarius FSSAI, and other national authorities.

Sampling and Testing Services

Offers end-to-end testing solutions, including sample collection, preparation, and analysis.
Conducts tests for raw peanuts, peanut butter, roasted peanuts, and other peanut-derived products.

Risk Assessment and Quality Assurance

Helps manufacturers and exporters identify contamination hotspots and mitigate risks during processing and storage.
Provides certificates of analysis (CoAs) for peanut batches, crucial for international trade and consumer confidence.

Fast Turnaround Times

Ensures timely delivery of results, critical for maintaining supply chain efficiency and avoiding shipment delays.

Training and Consultation

Provides training for peanut producers and processors on best practices for minimizing aflatoxin contamination.
Offers expert consultations on improving food safety protocols and aligning with regulatory changes.