Purpose: The focus of the study was to understand and evaluate the impact of reusing jute bags on aflatoxin contamination.
Methods: New and reused Jute bag samples were collected from India. Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus groups of fungi were isolated from these samples and further screened for toxigenic fungi by molecular and chemical methods. The aflatoxin concentration from new and reused jute bags and the maize inside were determined by ELISA and LC methods. We assessed the relationship between population of the fungi, aflatoxin concentration of jute bag samples, and aflatoxin risk of maize in India.
Results: The results showed an aflatoxin risk profile of reusing jute bags. The reused jute bags were divided into released and rejected groups, based on whether the aflatoxin concentration of maize inside exceeded 12 ppb or not. Both the total and aflatoxigenic Aspergillus fungi population from rejected jute bags were higher than from released jute bags. New jute bags contained very little toxigenic fungi. Furthermore, the aflatoxin concentration determined from reused jute bags indicated a similar trend and cross-contamination risk. The rejected jute bags reached high aflatoxin concentrations of >8.83 ppb and >93 times higher toxigenic fungi population levels than released ones.
Significance: This systematic study uncovered the potential risk of aflatoxigenic fungi and cross-contamination caused by reusing jute bags. This information will facilitate aflatoxin prevention and management in India and other countries.