Analysis of aflatoxins in grain dust

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Project Period: 
1990
Project Investigator(s): 
MI Selim, Institute of Agricultural Medicine and Occupational Health, Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, The University of Iowa
Abstract: 

Aflatoxins are recognized as potent chemical carcinogens, have been associated with liver cancer in animal studies, and may be associated with lung cancer incidence in humans exposed to aflatoxins in contaminated grain dust. This project developed and validated a one-step extraction and analysis technique for the separation and quantitative determination of low levels of aflatoxins in airborne grain dust samples. This technique is faster, more sensitive, more selective, and more reliable than present methods. The method is based on the use of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) on line with gas chromatography or supercritical fluid chromatography followed by mass spectrometric detection (SFE/GC/MS or SFE/SFC/MS). In addition, preliminary data on the levels of aflatoxins in grain dust generated during harvest and on-farm grain handling operations were collected. Results from this study were used to acquire a grant from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to expand research.

Publications: 

Selim MI, Tsuei MH; The Developement and optimization of a supercritical fluid extraction method for the analysis of aflatoxin B1 in grain dust. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal. 1993; 54(4):135-41