Occurrence of Aflatoxins G1, G2, B1 and B2in Chocolate Products Marketed in Karachi, Pakistan

Aflatoxins are toxic carcinogenic contaminants found in foodstuff as well as in feeds and are believed to be the primary health hazard. Determination of aflatoxins in food stuff and feeds is thus very important. Occurrence of Aflatoxins G1, G2, B1 and B2 in chocolate products purchased from various markets of Karachi, Pakistan, was investigated. Aflatoxins were estimated in thirty five dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate samples by using HPLC analysis. A total of 80% chocolate samples were found to be contaminated by aflatoxins. Aflatoxin B1was detected in 28, B2 in 24 and G1in 4 out of 35 samples analyzed, whereas aflatoxin G2 was found less than the limits of detection in the entire chocolate samples. Level of aflatoxin B1was detected maximum among all mycotoxins as 2.98mg/kg for dark chocolate and aflatoxin G1 was detected at lowest among allaflatoxins as 0.22mg/kg in dark chocolate. Dark chocolate was found to contain the highest amount of aflatoxins whereas least amount was found in white chocolate. The high levels of aflatoxin in chocolate detected in the period of studies could be a serious risk to human health in the largest populated city of Pakistan, where limited resources are available for the prevention and controlling their levels in the food supply.