Evaluation of the sanitary quality of peanut butters from Mali: Identification and quantification of Aflatoxins and pathogens

Abstract

In Mali, peanut remains a major oilseed crops and constitutes in various forms a very important source of fat and protein for the Malian people. Despite the importance of peanut butters in the diet in Mali and the potential danger of its high consumption under certain conditions, little information exists in Mali on the quantities and qualities of aflatoxins, microbial contaminant and heavy metals present in peanut butters. The occurrence of aflatoxins, pathogens and heavy metals and microorganisms, mainly pathogenic bacteria, in 36 peanut butters from Mali was assessed and their microbial and toxicological quality determined. Aflatoxin B1 was found in 90% of the peanut butters tested at 2.34 to 189.34 µg/g of peanut butter). 50% of peanut samples analyzed exceeded the maximum allowable limit of aflatoxin B1. No sample was found to contain lead and Cadmium, the two heavy metals determined. Peanut butters from Kati were the contaminated with Salmonella and fecal coliforms, while no Salmonella or fecal coliform were detected in samples from Bamako. Fecal streptococci were not detected in ant peanut butter sample. Contrary, fungi and yeasts are present in all peanuts butter samples from Bamako and Kati. Significant positive correlation between grain types and the population of fungi were observed. Contrary, a negative correlation was observed between grain types and yeasts. No lead or Cadmium was detected in the peanut butter samples from Mali.