Determination of Aflatoxin in the Imported Rice in Zahedan, South-East of Iran, 2011

Rice is common foodstuffs in Iran. Aflatoxin contamination of rice can be hazardous human health and causes economic problems.. Determination of Aflatoxin levels was investigated on the imported rice which is consumed as the main food in this area.. Two hundred samples of imported rice consisting; yellow (100) and white (100) rice were selected randomly. These samples were assessed for Aspergillus infection and the Aflatoxins B, G was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.. The results showed, 33% and 47% of yellow and white rice samples had contaminated 0.34 and 0.58 part per billion (ppb) with Aflatoxin B1 respectively. It was observed 13% and 21% following samples had also contaminated 0.06 and 0.08 ppb Aflatoxin B2 respectively. The levels of G1 and G2 Aflatoxins were impossible to identify in these samples.. According to proposed standards, none of the imported rice sample had not contaminated more than the maximum allowable concentrations of Aflatoxin..