Fast Screening Method for Detection of Aflatoxin Contamination in Cottonseed Products

Abstract

Abstract The detection method incorporates a 3 min blender extraction of the sample with aqueous acetonitrile, followed by partition of aflatoxins from an aliquot of the extract into benzene to effect a 4-fold concentration of the aflatoxins. A millicolumn (4 mm id × 20 cm long) filled with zones of acidic alumina (1.5 cm) and silica gel (9 cm) is placed in a portion of the benzene extract and the column is developed 5 min in chloroform-acetonitrile-2-propanol. Aflatoxins are detected by the presence of a sharp blue fluorescent band about 1 cm above the alumina zone when the developed column is examined under longwave ultraviolet light. Total analysis time is 15 min, and sensitivity of the method is in the range of 10–20 μg total aflatoxins (B1 + B2)/kg. An indication of the approximate contamination level can be obtained from the intensity of the fluorescent aflatoxin band.