Co-occurrence of mycotoxins, aflatoxin biosynthetic precursors, and Aspergillus metabolites in garlic (Allium sativum L) marketed in Zaria, Nigeria.

Multi-mycotoxin analysis of 72 samples of garlic bulbs sold in Zaria markets was carried out using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The results indicated the presence of seven major mycotoxins, including aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA), and the fumonisins B1, B2, B3, B4, and B6, at different levels of contamination. AFB1 and OTA were detected in 1 of the 72 samples (1.4%) with median concentrations of 5.48 and 12.3 µg/kg, respectively. FB1 and FB2 were detected in 77% and 100% of the analysed samples, with median concentrations of 401 µg/kg and 491 µg/kg, respectively. The observed levels of AFB1, OTA, FB1, and FB2 were above the EU maximum limit in herbal products. Sterigmatocystin (STC), an AFB1 biosynthetic precursor, was present in all tested samples. The contamination level of mycotoxins and Aspergillus metabolites of marketed garlic in the study area is of public health concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]