Aflatoxin Contents of Pollens Sold in Van Province

The objective of this study was to investigate moisture content, water activity, pH value and aflatoxin contents of pollen samples (n: 35) collected in Van province of Turkey. Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2) contents of the pollen samples were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The moisture contents varied from 7.35% up to 11.41% with an average of 9.46±0.18%. The average water activity (aw) was determined as 0.28±0.01 varying between 0.24 and 0.45. The pH value varied from 3.91 to 5.50 and averaged 4.38±0.06. While AFB1 was not detected in any of the samples AFB2 content varied between 0.00 and 0.24 μg/kg with an average of 0.01±0.01 μg/kg. The minimum, maximum and mean value of total aflatoxin level was determined as 0, 2.84 and 0.34±0.13 μg/kg, respectively. A low but statistically significant correlation (r=0.41) between the total aflatoxin and moisture content was found (P<0.05). As a result, aflatoxin was detected in 23 (66%) of the 35 pollen samples tested, and the amount of aflatoxin was found within the ranges permitted by the Turkish Food Codex. The positive correlation between the moisture content the aflatoxin content of the pollen samples examined suggested that the high aflatoxin levels observed might due to inappropriate storage condition