Aflatoxin B1 (AfB1) is a mycotoxin produced by certain species of Aspergillus such as A. flavus and A. parasiticus, which is highly toxic and classified as group IA – potentially carcinogenic to humans (according to IARC). AfB1 mainly appears in cereals, oilseeds (peanuts, sunflower seeds, corn, dried peppers...) and can be converted in the liver into a potent carcinogen, AfB1-8,9-epoxide. Due to the danger of AfB1, many countries, including Vietnam, have issued regulations limiting the amount of AfB1 in food. Common methods for creating AfB1 standards include culturing Aspergillus flavus in a suitable medium and chemical extraction. However, this method requires very strict biosecurity requirements because of the danger of AfB1 to human health. The development of the AfB1 standard process in Vietnam is not only scientifically significant but also brings economic benefits, reduces dependence on imported sources, and helps control the quality of food in the country. In this study, AfB1 was extracted from peanuts by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and enriched and cleaned with silica gel column chromatography. The standard solution was then purified with diethyl ether:n-hexane solution (1:1, v/v) to remove residual non-polar impurities. The analysis by thin layer chromatography showed that the standard solution met the purity requirements. The homogeneity and stability of the standard solution were evaluated, resulting in 100 mL of AfB1 standard solution with a certified value of 99.6 ng/mL with a measurement uncertainty of 3.0 ng/mL and an estimated shelf life of 587 days (until 09/12/2026) at -20℃.
Aflatoxin B1, peanuts, silica gel, Aspergillus.
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