Physicochemical Characteristics and Aflatoxin Levels in Two Types of Sudanese Sesame Oil

The physicochemical characteristics and aflatoxin levels of two types of sesame oil [Walad (W) and Normal (N)] were determined. A total of 104 sesame oil samples were collected during two seasons (I and II) from traditional mills in five states of Sudan. Levels of aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, and G2 were determined using HPLC. The physicochemical characteristics of W and N samples were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) different: samples of W and N from the five states had fluctuations in physicochemical characteristics in the two seasons. The highest percentage of contamination (recorded in Khartoum followed by Kordofan state) by aflatoxin B1 during season II occurred in normal sesame oil which was 80.77 %, followed by Walad sesame oil which was 76.92 %. These percentages of contamination in season I were lower than 59.26 % for normal sesame oil and lower than 52.0 % for Walad sesame oil in season II. Aflatoxin B2 contamination recorded the highest incidence in season II (3 out of 26 samples, 11.54 %) of normal sesame oil, followed by Walad sesame oil (2 out of 26 samples, 7.69 %). These percentages were lower than the 7.40 and 4.0 % of normal and Walad sesame oils in season I, respectively. Aflatoxin B1 and B2 levels in sesame oil ranged from 0.5 to 9.8 and 0.5 to 1.3 μg/kg, respectively.