IDENTIFICATION AND HPLC QUANTIFICATION OF AFLATOXINS IN GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L.) SAMPLES COLLECTED IN RAYALASEEMA AREA, ANDHRA PRADESH

The present investigation reports the fungal Aflatoxins contamination in groundnut samples collected in different locations in the Rayalaseema area, Andhra Pradesh, India. Aflatoxins were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction method using chloroform solvent. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of aflatoxins present in the samples was done using TLC and HPLC techniques. Among the eight samples in the study two samples S3 and S6 were less infected with aflatoxin-producing fungi, and hence aflatoxins were detected in HPLC study. Samples S1 and S4 consist of only B2 and G2 aflatoxins respectively. The chromatogram obtained for sample S2 shows two peaks representing G2, B2 aflatoxins with 0.84 ng/g, 13.0 ng/g quantity. Sample S5 was also found to have two peaks representing G2, B2 aflatoxins with 10.9 ng/g, 0.55 ng/g quantity respectively. Sample S8 chromatogram consists of two peaks represents aflatoxin G1 and G2 with 0.89 ng/g, 13.3 ng/g quantity respectively. Among the samples in the study, a high number of aflatoxins was identified in sample S7. In S7 sample aflatoxin G1, G2 and B2 were identified. The quantity of aflatoxin G1 was found to be very high (20.6 ng/g) and Remaining aflatoxins G2 and B2 were found to be 3.7 ng/g, 4.7 ng/g respectively. Based on the results findings for the analysis of aflatoxins in groundnut samples six samples were found to be contaminated with aflatoxins. Even though the aflatoxins content found less amount, crop management practices that reduce infection in the field and during harvesting may help to prevent the contamination of ground nuts from fungal strains.