The occurrence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in chilies
from Pakistan was determined by using HPLC in work
undertaken in Pakistan.Whole (n=22) and powdered (n=22)
chilies were analyzed. Sixteen (73.0%) and 19 (86.4%)
samples of whole and ground chilies, respectively, were
contaminated. The mean concentration in powdered chilies
(32.20 μg/kg) was higher statistically than in whole chilies
(24.69 μg/kg). Concentrations ranged from 0.00 to 89.56 μg/
kg for powdered chilies, compared with 0.00–96.3 μg/kg for
whole chilies. The limits of detection and quantification were
0.05 μg/kg and 0.53 μg/kg, respectively. The concentrations
were high in general and greater than the statutory limit set
by the European Union. There is considerable scope for
improvements in chili production in Pakistan.Higher Education Commission, PakistanFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT
