Proximate composition and mycological characterization of peanut butter sold in retail markets of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)

Objective : The aim of this work was to contribute to the food safety of Ivorian consumers by investigating the proximate composition and the toxic fungal contamination of peanut butters offered for retail sale on the different markets of Abidjan. Methodology and results : Peanut butter samples (45) were collected from the main markets of the 9 communes of Abidjan District and their physicochemical and mycological characteristics were determined. Statistical analyses were performed on the data obtained. Mean proximate composition was as follow: moisture (1.03 – 4.50 %), pH (6.25 – 6.72), titratable acidity (9.18 – 18.48 meq/100 g), ash (5 – 5.5 %), crude fibre (5 – 6.78 %), protein (21 – 30 %), lipids (41 – 50 %), carbohydrate (15 – 26 %) and energy (560 – 640 kcal/100 g). The total fungi isolated ranged from 10 4 to 10 6 CFU/g. Eight (8) genera of fungi were isolated: Mucor , Alternaria , Helmintosporium , Geotrichum , Fusarium , Cladosporium , Penicillium and Aspergillus. The predominant fungi belonged to Aspergillus genus (20.22 – 51.65 %) followed by Helmintosporium (0 – 47.44 %) and Penicillium (0 – 41.54%). The mycotoxigenic fungi were isolated with a frequency of 14.81, 13.95, 9.1 and 21.62 % for Aspergillus versicolor , Aspergillus ochraceus , Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus , respectively. Conclusions and application of findings : Peanut butter sold in retail markets in Abidjan District are nutritive and could meet the dietary needs of the population. However, the presence of mycotoxigenic fungi represents a public health problem. Therefore, good manufacturing processing and good hygiene practices would help to minimize fungal contamination in order to obtain good sanitary peanut butters.