**3. Occurrence of Aflatoxin in Cereals**

Cereals and its products are the main foods for human consumption throughout the world. The cereal grains belong to corn, rice, barley, wheat and sorghum are found susceptible to AFs accumulation by aflatoxigenic fungus. The problem of aflatoxins occurring naturally in cereals, especially in rice and corn, has become troublesome because of changing agricultur‐ al technology. The aflatoxin problem in cereals is not restricted to any geographic or climatic region. Toxins are produced on cereals, both in the field and in storage; they involve both the grain and the whole plant [39].

Rice Sweden 57/99 Totala 0.1-50.7 HPLC [44] Rice China 23/74 Totala 0.15-3.88 HPLC [28] Rice Japan 0/48 Totala NDb HPLC [45] Rice Nigeria 21/21 Totala 27.7-371.9 HPLC [46] Rice Turkey 56/100 Totala 0.05-21.4 ELISA [47] Rice Tunisia 2/16 Totala 2.0-7.5 ELISA [48] Rice Tunisia 0/11 Totala NDb HPLC [49] Rice Malaysia 9/13 AFB1 0.68-3.79 ELISA [27] Corn Tunisia 1/17 Totala 0.42 HPLC [49] Corn Malaysia 6/8 AFB1 1.75-8.95 ELISA [27] Corn Brazilian 82/214 AFB1 0.2-129 ELISA [50] Corn China 4/18 Totala 5.67 (mean) UHPLC [21] Corn China 52/84 Totala 0.02-1098 HPLC [28] Corn Tunisia 9/21 Totala 2.9-12.5 ELISA [48] Corn flour Morocco 16/20 AFB1 0.23-11.2 HPLC [51] Wheat Ethiopia 5/120 AFB1 <1.0-12.3 HPLC [52] Wheat Tunisia 15/51 Totala 4.0-12.9 ELISA [48] Wheat Tunisia 10/46 Totala 0.15-18.6 HPLC [49] Wheat Malaysia 9/14 AFB1 0.55-5.07 ELISA [27] Wheat India 663/1646 AFB1 "/5 ELISA [41]

Occurrence of Aflatoxins in Food http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/51031 149

Morocco 3/17 AFB1 0.03-0.15 HPLC [51]

Sorghum Tunisia 36/49 Totala 0.4-25.8 HPLC [49] Sorghum Ethiopia 5/82 AFB1 <1.0-25.9 HPLC [52] Sorghum India 1173/1606 AFB1 0.01-263.98 ELISA [53] Sorghum Tunisia 13/17 Totala 1.7-67.0 ELISA [48] Barley Tunisia 2/46 Total 0.6-0.8 HPLC [49] Barley Ethiopia 13/115 AFB1 <1.0-11.7 HPLC [52] Barley Tunisia 11/25 Total 3.5-11.5 ELISA [48] Oat Malaysia 5/10 AFB1 0.65-2.85 ELISA [27] Cereals Ethiopia 31/352 AFB1 <LOD-26 HPLC [52]

Wheat flour

a. Total: AFB1+ AFB2+ AFG1+ AFG2

b. ND: Not detected

**Table 2.** Aflatoxins in cereals.

Our results showed that rice was significantly more heavily colonized by aflatoxin-produc‐ ing *Aspergillus* spp. than other cereals, with overall aflatoxin levels being correspondingly higher. But this may be caused by the variations in cultivars used. Additionally, corn is the second susceptible after rice for aflatoxin accumulation by *A. fungus* (Table 2).

Rice and sorghum are the most important staple food crops in many countries. In these countries, the majority of rice is grown in the rainy season. During the rainy season, sun drying of rice, which is practiced by most farmers, may not reduce the moisture content of grains sufficiently to prevent growth of fungi. As a result, rice grains with a moisture con‐ tent higher than the desired level (>14%) may enter the storage system. The harmful effects of such fungal invasion are discoloration of the grain and/ or husk, loss in viability, loss of quality, and toxin contamination. Sorghum is grown in harsh environments where other crops do not grow well. Improvements in production, availability, storage, utilization, and consumption of this food crop will significantly contribute to the household food security and nutrition of the inhabitants of these areas. Sorghum is typically harvested as early as possible so that fields can quickly be planted with another crop. Sometimes the sorghum harvest coincides with heavy rainfall, hurricanes, and floods, all of which promote infection by mycotoxin-producing fungi [25].

As it is known, the consumption of large amounts of AFs contaminated food by starving people can cause toxic hepatitis (jaundice) and death. Aflatoxin epidemics were reported from India, in 1975 among the Bhils (the largest and most widely distributed tribal group in India), who had consumed corn heavily contaminated with *A. flavus*. The epidemic was characterized by jaundice, rapidly developing ascites, and portal hypertension. Approxi‐ mately 400 persons were affected by the epidemic [40].



b. ND: Not detected

**Table 2.** Aflatoxins in cereals.

**3. Occurrence of Aflatoxin in Cereals**

the grain and the whole plant [39].

148 Aflatoxins - Recent Advances and Future Prospects

by mycotoxin-producing fungi [25].

**Food Type**

mately 400 persons were affected by the epidemic [40].

**Country Contaminated/**

**Total examined**

Cereals and its products are the main foods for human consumption throughout the world. The cereal grains belong to corn, rice, barley, wheat and sorghum are found susceptible to AFs accumulation by aflatoxigenic fungus. The problem of aflatoxins occurring naturally in cereals, especially in rice and corn, has become troublesome because of changing agricultur‐ al technology. The aflatoxin problem in cereals is not restricted to any geographic or climatic region. Toxins are produced on cereals, both in the field and in storage; they involve both

Our results showed that rice was significantly more heavily colonized by aflatoxin-produc‐ ing *Aspergillus* spp. than other cereals, with overall aflatoxin levels being correspondingly higher. But this may be caused by the variations in cultivars used. Additionally, corn is the

Rice and sorghum are the most important staple food crops in many countries. In these countries, the majority of rice is grown in the rainy season. During the rainy season, sun drying of rice, which is practiced by most farmers, may not reduce the moisture content of grains sufficiently to prevent growth of fungi. As a result, rice grains with a moisture con‐ tent higher than the desired level (>14%) may enter the storage system. The harmful effects of such fungal invasion are discoloration of the grain and/ or husk, loss in viability, loss of quality, and toxin contamination. Sorghum is grown in harsh environments where other crops do not grow well. Improvements in production, availability, storage, utilization, and consumption of this food crop will significantly contribute to the household food security and nutrition of the inhabitants of these areas. Sorghum is typically harvested as early as possible so that fields can quickly be planted with another crop. Sometimes the sorghum harvest coincides with heavy rainfall, hurricanes, and floods, all of which promote infection

As it is known, the consumption of large amounts of AFs contaminated food by starving people can cause toxic hepatitis (jaundice) and death. Aflatoxin epidemics were reported from India, in 1975 among the Bhils (the largest and most widely distributed tribal group in India), who had consumed corn heavily contaminated with *A. flavus*. The epidemic was characterized by jaundice, rapidly developing ascites, and portal hypertension. Approxi‐

Rice India 814/1200 AFB1 0.1-308 ELISA [25] Rice India 581/1511 AFB1 "/5 HPTLC [41] Rice Iran 59/71 Totala 2.097-10.94 HPLC [42] Rice Canada 99/199 AFB1 <0.002-7.1 HPLC [43]

**Aflatoxin Concentration (ppb)**

**Method Reference**

second susceptible after rice for aflatoxin accumulation by *A. fungus* (Table 2).
