Assessment of Aflatoxin B1 and Ochratoxin A Levels in Rice Produced in Khuzestan and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad Provinces, Iran

Background and purpose: Contamination of food materials such as rice to mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1 and Ochratoxin A) is a major health concern. This causes more concerns especially in countries that rice is the main food. Nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic effects of such mycotoxins to human are reported by WHO and EPA. The main objective of current study was to determine the contamination of rice produced in Kohgiluyeh and boyer Ahmad and Khuzestan provinces to aflatoxin B1 and Ochratoxin A. Materials and methods: In a cross-sectional study, 85 samples were randomly collected from rice farms in Basht, Yasuj, Gachsaran and Dena in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad province and Ramhormoz in Khuzestan province. Contaminations to Aflatoxin B1 and Ochratoxin A were quantified using ELISA method and data was statistically analyzed by SPSS V18. Results: The concentration of aflatoxin B1 was less than the limits specified by the Iran National standard and the :union: of Europe standard value in 80.58% of the samples. Also, the levels of Ochratoxin A in 100% of the samples were less than standard limits. The average concentrations of aflatoxin B1 and Ochratoxin were 4.70 ng/g and 2.02 ng/g in all samples, respectively. In addition, there was a positive correlation between Aflatoxin B1 and temperature and humidity P=0.001. Conclusion: This research showed a potential contamination to fungi and its toxins in rice. Increase in temperature and humidity directly increased aflatoxin B1 levels.