Natural Occurrence of Major Mycotoxins across the Ginger Value Chain in Nigeria

A.  Negedu.; D.O.  Apeh; I.M.  Ogara; C.V.  Iyadi; M.  Owoloja; U.T.  Ibrahim; V.O.  Onoja; H.A.  Makun

doi:10.18502/jfqhc.9.2.10642

A. Negedu. Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Maitama F.C.T, Abuja, Nigeria
D.O. Apeh Department of Biological Sciences, Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State, Nigeria
I.M. Ogara Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Shabu-Lafia Campus, Lafia, Nigeria
C.V. Iyadi Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Kogi State University Anyigba, Nigeria
M. Owoloja Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Kogi State University Anyigba, Nigeria
U.T. Ibrahim Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Kogi State University Anyigba, Nigeria
V.O. Onoja Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Kogi State University Anyigba, Nigeria
H.A. Makun Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety, Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jfqhc.9.2.10642

Keywords: Ginger, Mycotoxins, Aflatoxins, Ochratoxins, Fumonisins, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Ginger which serves as both spices and medicine is susceptible to mycotoxin contamination. This research determined the incidence of major mycotoxins, including Aflatoxins (AFs), Ochratoxin A (OTA), and Fumonisins (FBs) in Nigerian ginger sampled from two main ginger producing states of Nigeria.
Methods: Totally, 105 ginger samples were collected including freshly harvested and dried sliced forms. These samples were collected randomly across five stations; farms, aggregating points, processing points, open markets, and storage facilities during the rainy season in June, 2019. The samples were analysed using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and read by a microplate reader.
Results: Incidence of the studied mycotoxins was 80.9, 68.6, and 90.5% for AFs, OTA, and FBs, respectively. While there were low levels of OTA and FBs across the various sample forms. Mean concentrations of AFs were 1.77±1.86 µg/kg (0.00-8.68) and 6.46±6.71 µg/kg (0.00-36.72) in fresh and dried ginger samples, respectively. The results revealed higher levels of AF in storage samples (9.04±10.72 µg/kg) and market samples (4.05±4.41 µg/kg) compared to other samples. However, no significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in the level of contamination across the sample sources.
Conclusion: Freshly harvested ginger samples were less contaminated than dried ginger. Among the studied toxins, AF was found as a potential health concern in Nigerian ginger.