Natural occurrence of ochratoxin A in some marketed Nigerian foods

A total of one hundred and nine samples of maize (Zea mays) (17), millet (Pennisetum spp) (18), guinea corn (Sorghum) (17), acha (Digitaria exilis stapf) (20),sesame (Sesamum indicum) (19) and fermented cassava (Manihot esculenta) flakes (garri) (18) from markets located in Minna and its environs were analysed for ochratoxin A (OTA) by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). OTA was detected in 98.2% of the samples. The levels found were maize (0-139.2 μg/kg), millet (10.20-46.57 μg/kg), guinea corn (0-29.50 μg/kg), sesame seeds (1.90-15.66 μg/kg), acha (1.38-23.90 μg/kg) and garri (3.28-22.73 μg/kg). Maize had the highest level of OTA with “acha” having the lowest content of the toxin. The OTA levels found in marketed food and feed commodities which were mostly (74.3%) above 5 μg/kg, the European Union standard raise public health concern. The study is the first report of OTA contamination of acha, sesame seed and garri in Nigeria and possibly in Africa.

► OTA was determined in six human Nigerian food commodities marketed in Minna. ► The foodstuffs were maize, sorghum, millet, sesame seed, acha and garri. ► The concentration of OTA found in the samples were between the range of 0-130 μg/kg. ► Seventy percent of the samples had OTA levels above the EU maximum limit of 5 μg/kg. ► This is the first report of OTA in sesame seed, acha and garri in Nigeria.