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Abstract
Aflatoxins (AFs) are a class of secondary metabolites produced by toxicogenic Aspergillus which are known to contaminate a broad range of crops and food products worldwide. Analyses of thirteen peanut and corn products collected from supermarkets in the State of Georgia, USA and 280 peanut and grain samples grown in the State of Georgia were conducted to determine the current AF contamination status in the State. The detection rate of AFB1 in supermarket samples was 100 percent using HPLC and ELISA analysis methods, all below the FDAs 20 ppb regulatory limit. The detection rate of AFs in Georgia-grown samples using UHPLC and mReader analysis methods was 100%. Results for total AF levels (g/kg) in oats, sorghum, wheat, corn, and peanuts were 23.4836.79, 172.3459.14, 51.8186.45, 8.4412.46, and 68.2295.58, respectively. These results prove the need of closer monitoring of AF contamination in crops grown in the State of Georgia.