A survey of aflatoxin contamination of coconut products in Sri Lanka; incidence, origins and recommendations

Forty five large scale mills in the 'Coconut Triangle' of Sri Lanka were studied over one year period, for aflatoxin contamination of their products - mainly copra, oil and press cake - to determine the incidence and levels of aflatoxin contamination, and the origin of such contamination.

Of 344 samples, approximately 50% contained medium-high levels (0.05 to 1 μg/g, ppm) of aflatoxin B1. None of the samples had levels over 1 ppm. In 99 selected copra kernels with heavy fungal colonisation, the levels ranged from 0.05 t o 4 ppm in 50% of the kernels. Only 2 kernels had higher levels with 10 and 20 ppm: 29% of kernels had levels between trace and 0.05 ppm while no aflatoxin was detected in 18%. The levels detected in cured copra products were lower than those reported in other oilseeds; reasons are discussed.