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Abstract: A total 198 peanut and peanut products, commercially available in major cities of Punjab Pakistan were analyzed for aflatoxins (AFs) using HPLC equipped with florescence detector. The data revealed that 59% raw peanut with shell, 55% raw peanut without shell, 61% roasted peanut with shell, 68% roasted peanut without shell, 50% peanut butter, 42% peanut cookies and 20% peanut nimko were found contaminated with AFs. The mean concentration in raw peanut shell was (6.4 μg/kg), raw peanut without shell (9.6 μg/kg), roasted peanut with and without shell (10.4 and 12.3 μg/kg), peanut butter (2.4 μg/kg), peanut cookies (4.6 μg/kg) and peanut nimko (3.4 μg/kg). The present study was a first report on the occurrence of AFs contamination in peanut and peanut products from the markets of Punjab, Pakistan. The level of AFs in peanut and peanut products is high and poses a significant threat for the health of people. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Chillies are a very important cash crop of Pakistan. The effects of gamma irradiation on microbial load, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and total aflatoxins have been studied in chillies samples, collected from different districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Aflatoxins were analyzed using HPLC equipped with a fluorescence detector. The results revealed that among the Aspergillus species isolated, those belonging to section parasiticus were predominant. Gamma radiations of doses 2, 4 and 6kGy were employed on fungi and chilli samples. The results have demonstrated that the dose of 6kGy reduced the fungal load by 5logs. Furthermore, 6kGy reduced the level of AFB1 and total AFs in ground and whole chillies by 1–2logs (α < 0.05). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]