Abstract
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 B-1, B-2, G(1), and G(2) were determined using HPLC. The physicochemical characteristics of W and N samples were significantly (P a parts per thousand currency sign 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 B-1 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 B-2 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 B-1 and B-2 levels in sesame oil ranged from 0.5 to 9.8 and 0.5 to 1.3 mu g/kg, respectively.