Daily Intake of Aflatoxins from Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) Product in Cote Divoire

The objective of this study is to estimate the risk of exposure to aflatoxins cocoa bean (Theobroma cacao) produced in C?te d'Ivoire. Thus, 113 samples (66 samples collected during the 2011-2012 season and 47 during that of 2012-2013) were analyzed. Aflatoxin was extracted from the samples by the modified method of Le Tutour et al. , (1983) and assayed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) according to the standards of the European Communities (EC 401/2006). Aflatoxin intakes were estimated from daily consumption of cocoa beans from the adult Ivorian and levels of aflatoxins found in the cocoa mass. The mean concentrations of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and total aflatoxin (AFT) found in the cocoa mass were respectively 1.31?0.48 ?g/kg and 2.36?0.61 ?g/kg. The AFB1 was found in 58% of samples with higher contents to normative values of the European Commission in 20% and 16% respectively for AFB1 (2 ?g/kg) and AFT (4 ?g/kg). The estimated intakes for AFB1, are 25.2 pg/kg body weight/day and 266.5 pg/kg body weight/day, respectively for small and large Ivorian consumers. These calculated contributions represent 16.8% and 177.7% of the Toxicity Reference Value (VTR) stable by European and international committees. According to the VTR, the levels of aflatoxins detected in the mass cocoa are not likely to cause toxicity to the small Ivorian consumer. However, health risks remain for regular Ivorian consumer because of the potential synergy of toxins and exposure over long periods at these doses determined.