Philippine Journal of Science
151 (5): 1557-1577, October 2022
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 27 Jul 2021

Risk Profiling of Aflatoxin
in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
to the Filipino Consuming Population

Abigail S. Rustia¹*, Christine Bernadette D.G. Mariano¹,
Karina Angela D. Bautista¹, Deon Mahoney², Erniel B. Barrios³,
Casiana Blanca J. Villarino¹, Mark R. Limon⁴, and Mario V. Capanzana⁵

¹Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Home Economics,
University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila 1101 Philippines
²Produce Marketing Association Australia–New Zealand Ltd.,
Docklands, Victoria 3008 Australia
³School of Statistics, University of the Philippines Diliman,
Quezon City, Metro Manila 1101 Philippines
⁴College of Teacher Education, Mariano Marcos State University,
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte 2900 Philippines
⁵Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology,
Taguig, Metro Manila 1630 Philippines

*Corresponding author: asrustia@up.edu.ph

[Download]
Rustia A et al. 2022. Risk Profiling of Aflatoxin in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) to the Filipino
Consuming Population. Philipp J Sci 151(5): 1557–1577. https://doi.org/10.56899/151.05.02

 

ABSTRACT

Aflatoxin (AFL) is a naturally occurring mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus spp. and is commonly associated with peanuts (Arachis hypogaeaL.), a major field legume in the Philippines. The major types of AFL are B1, B2, G1, and G2 – comprising the total aflatoxin (AFT). AFL exposure has been shown to cause both chronic and acute toxicity, with the liver as the main target organ. It is considered genotoxic and carcinogenic. The objective of this study is to establish the profile of the potential risks associated with the consumption of peanuts contaminated with aflatoxin to the Filipino consuming population. The study included [1] determination of data gaps in the risk profiling of AFL in the consumption of peanuts by the Filipino peanut-consuming population; [2] hazard identification and characterization; [3] estimation of dietary exposure (DE) and riskbased on uncertainties, variabilities, and assumptions; and [4] consolidation of available control measures and possible mitigation protocols for AFL in peanut. AFL was detected in 92% of all the peanut samples (n = 50) analyzed, with overall mean levels of 802.83 µg/kg AFT, 683.53 µg/kg AFB1, and 119.30 µg/kg AFB2 exceeding the maximum level (ML) of 15 µg/kg set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for AFT. Considering the assumptions made and data gathered in this study, the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of the Filipino adult (20–59 yr old) consuming population to AFT and to AFB1 in peanut – at 97.5th percentile consumption – were 1.22–6,527.18 ng/kg body weight (bw)/dand 1.22–5,574.90 ng/kg bw/d, respectively, which exceeded the recommended provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) of 1 ng/kg bw/d. The margins of exposure (MOE) were also generally estimated to be below 10,000, which indicates that it is a potential health concern and that it supports the need for further risk management actions.