Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry

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Browsing Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry by Subject "Aflatoxins"

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  • Item
    Open Access
    Aflatoxin Contamination of Arachis hypogaea (Groundnuts) in Lagos Area of Nigeria
    (Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2003) Thomas A.E.; Coker H.A.B.; Odukoya O.A.; Isamah G.K.; Adepoju-Bello A.
    Human populations are exposed to aflatoxins as a result of the consumption of commodities particularly grams and nuts) that have been directly contaminated by the aflatoxin producing strains of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergilus parasiticus during growth, harvest or storage (Busby and Wogan 1984). The occurrence and magnitude of aflatoxins contamination varies also with geographical and seasonal factors. Crops in tropical and subtropical areas are more susceptible to contamination than those in temperate regions, since optimal conditions for toxin formation are prevalent in areas with high humidity and temperature (Diener and Davis 1969). Grains and food stuffs capable of being contaminated with aflatoxins have been reported by Busby and Wogan and the level of contamination can vary from less than lppb to over 12ppb. In Nigeria, grains like groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea) have become a staple food among the populace and there is need to consider the sporadic nature of the infestation of these nuts. In this study, the level of aflatoxin contamination of groundnuts (roasted, steamed and raw), was evaluated, using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometric and high performance liquid chromatographic methods.
  • Item
    Open Access
    Toxicity of Aflatoxins from selected Consumables in Lagos (Nigeria)
    (EJEAFChe, 2005) Thomas A.E.; Coker H.A.B.; Odukoya O.A.; Abdul-Kareem A.; Adepoju-Bello A.A.
    This study quantified aflatoxin levels assessedcytotoxicity and pathological effects of pro-carcinogens extracted from consumables (groundnuts, beans) on biological systems and established data on the dose - response characteristics. HPLC analysis quantified levels of aflatoxins in the products. Brine Shrimp Lethality (BSL) assay was used for cytotoxicity while toxicity was determined by the pathological effects of the aflatoxin extracts on the vital organs (lungs, liver and kidneys) of mice. Level of aflatoxin is more in beans than in groundnuts. Both have aflatoxin Gl in highest abundance (01in beans >groundnut). The groundnut product was more toxic on the brine shrimps while acute lethalityshowed the beans products to be more toxic than the groundnut product. Toxicity caused hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes and severe diffuse periportal necrosis of the liver, acute tubular necrosis manifested as patchy loss of tubular epithelium, dilation of some tubules and presence of intraluminal casts in the kidneys and lungs showed congestion with patchy areas of haemorrhage and collapse.