Contamination of Corn (Zea mays) and Millet (Pennicetum Glaucum) Porridge Sold on the Streets of Abidjan by Zearalenone

Abstract

Zearalenone is a carcinogenic contaminant frequently found in cereal-based foods. This study aimed to determine the level of zearalenone contamination in maize and millet porridges sold in the municipality of Yopougon, Abidjan. It was a cross-sectional study. Five grams of ground material from each of the ten samples were extracted with 50 ml of ultrapure water and 50 ml of dichloromethane. After filtration and decantation, zearalenone was detected and quantified by HPLC-FLD. It was detected in four (4) of the five (5) millet porridge samples, with a minimum concentration of 1.65 µg/kg, a maximum concentration of 61.38 µg/kg, and a mean concentration of 18.24 µg/kg. Regarding maize porridge, zearalenone was detected in all five (5) samples, with a minimum concentration of 1.87 µg/kg, a maximum concentration of 7.30 µg/kg, and an average concentration of 4.86 µg/kg. According to reference values, the zearalenone content of the maize porridge is acceptable. However, for millet porridge, three (3) samples met the standards for infants and four (4) samples met the standards for adults. This study highlights the presence of zearalenone in porridge sold in the Yopougon district. Since porridge is a food widely consumed by children and adults, the risk associated with zearalenone is almost constant for the Ivorian population. It is therefore important to reduce the risk of contamination of maize and millet slurries by zearalenone through good production, storage and processing practices, involving actors in the millet and maize value chain.