Aflatoxins in the rice production chain: A review on prevalence, detection, and decontamination strategies
Iqra Naeema, Amir Ismailb c✉, Muhammad Riazc, Mubashir Azizd, Kashif Akrame, Muhammad A. Shahzada, Mavra Ameena, Sher Alif, Carlos Augusto Fernandes de Oliveiraf g✉
- aDepartment of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Food Science & Nutrition, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
- bDepartment of Food Safety and Quality Management, Faculty of Food Science & Nutrition, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. Electronic address: amirismail@bzu.edu.pk
- cDepartment of Food Safety and Quality Management, Faculty of Food Science & Nutrition, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
- dDepartment of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
- eDepartment of Food Science, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
- fDepartment of Food Engineering, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil
- gDepartment of Food Engineering, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: carlosaf@usp.br
- ✉Corresponding author
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Abstract
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most consumed cereals that along with several important nutritional constituents typically provide more than 21% of the caloric requirements of human beings. Aflatoxins (AFs) are toxic secondary metabolites of several Aspergillus species that are prevalent in cereals, including rice. This review provides a comprehensive overview on production factors, prevalence, regulations, detection methods, and decontamination strategies for AFs in the rice production chain. The prevalence of AFs in rice is more prominent in African and Asian than in European countries. Developed nations have more stringent regulations for AFs in rice than in the developing world. The contamination level of AFs in the rice varied at different stages of rice production chain and is affected by production practices, environmental conditions comprising temperature, humidity, moisture, and water activity as well as milling operations such as de-husking, parboiling, and polishing. A range of methods including chromatographic techniques, immunochemical methods, and spectrophotometric methods have been developed, and used for monitoring AFs in rice. Chromatographic methods are the most used methods of AFs detection followed by immunochemical techniques. AFs decontamination strategies adopted worldwide involve various physical, chemical, and biological strategies, and even using plant materials. In conclusion, adopting good agricultural practices, implementing efficient AFs detection methods, and developing innovative aflatoxin decontamination strategies are imperative to ensure the safety and quality of rice for consumers.