Abstract
Aflatoxins (AFs) contamination in commercial pistachio nuts was investigated. 621 samples, collected from commercial markets in the period of 1982-1999, were tested for AFs. AF was found in 18 samples out of 621 pistachio nuts samples. The incidence was approximately 3%. The level of AFB1 ranged 0.8 to 1380 ppb. In spite of the low incidence, the level of AFB1 was high ; 72% of AFB1 positive samples were contained over the regulatory level in Japan(10 ppb). While all positive samples contained AF-B group, AF-G group was found in only one sample. All the positive samples were imported from Iran with an exception, which was imported from USA. Comparing the incidence of AF in pistachio nut in each year, the incidence wasn't constant. AF was found at only 8 years during those 18 years. The Ministry of Health of Japan orders testing all pistachio nuts for AF when they are imported. If highly-AF-contaminated pistachio nuts were completely excluded at the time, AF over the regulation level should not be found in commercial pistachio nuts. However, high level of AFB1 was sometimes found in them, because AF contamination is extremely heterogeneous. Tougher controls at import are preferred.
