Cereal Chem 46:446 - 453.  |  VIEW ARTICLE
Survey of Cereal Grains and Soybeans for the Presence of Aflatoxin. I. Wheat, Grain Sorghum, and Oats.

O. L. Shotwell, C. W. Hesseltine, H. R. Burmeister, W. F. Kwolek, G. M. Shannon, and H. H. Hall. Copyright 1969 by the American Association of Cereal Chemists, Inc. 

A total of 531 wheat samples, 533 grain sorghum samples, and 304 oat samples, representing all marketing grades, were analyzed for the presence of aflatoxin. Samples were extracted by the procedure, slightly modified, developed by the Food and Drug Administration for the analysis of peanut and peanut products. Extracts were assayed for the presence of aflatoxins by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The sensitivity limit of the analysis as carried out was 2 to 5 p.p.b. of the metabolite. According to results of TLC, two wheat samples, six grain sorghum samples, and three oat samples, all in poorer grades, appeared to contain low levels of aflatoxin (2 to 19 p.p.b.). Samples that were positive by TLC were tested in ducklings. No aflatoxinlike activity was detected in grain sorghum samples. Although the duckling test indicated that traces of toxins might be present in wheat and oat samples, more likely the test was negative. The sensitivity of the test as conducted was 1 to 2 p.p.b.