Determination of Aflatoxin in Apricot Kernel with UFLC-FD Method and In-Laboratory Method Validation

Abstract

In the present study, the presence of aflatoxin in the apricot kernel and peanut samples was investigated, and in-laboratory validation of the applied method was performed by two analysts. Apricot kernel samples were procured from Şire Pazarı, where apricots were traded in Malatya province, and peanut samples were provided from dried nut shops in the same province. Analyzes were carried out in the ultra-fast liquid chromatography (UFLC-FD) system with fluorescence detector using method no. 991.31 of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). In one of the apricot kernel samples, aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin were measured as 1.250±0.081 and 1.401±0.097 μg kg-1, respectively, while aflatoxin wasn't detected in the other apricot kernel and peanut samples. As a result of the analytical studies, the linear measurement range of the aflatoxin standard in the UFLC-FD system was determined as 0.08 – 2.5 μg kg-1, the LOD values for aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin were 0.036 and 00.120 μg kg-1, and the LOQ values were 0.084 and 0.280 μg kg-1, respectively.