Evaluation of Aflatoxin Contamination in Maize from Mazandaran Province in Iran

Background: In Iran, maize is cultivated in wide areas including northern provinces. It is one of the most important crops for poultry and livestock feeding, which is susceptible to aflatoxins (AFs) contamination. So, pre-harvest maize samples from Mazandaran province, north of Iran were analyzed for AFs contamination. Objective: Methods: Thirty-five pre-harvest maize samples were analyzed using immunoaffinity column and reversed-phase liquid chromatography with post-column derivatization. Results: Data revealed that incidence of AFB1, AFB2 and total aflatoxins (AFT) in maize samples were 66%, 54% and 63% with mean of 9.5 ± 16.3, 1.7 ± 2.6 and 10.4 ± 18.4 ng/g, respectively. Conclusion: The mean level of AFB1 in samples was higher than the Iranian maximum tolerated level (MTL). But, AFT mean level (10.4 ng/g) was lower than the Iranian and US (20 ng/g) MTLs.