Co-occurrence of aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and citrinin in “egusi” melon (Colocynthis citrullus L.) seeds consumed in Ireland and the United Kingdom

The natural co-occurrence of aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CIT) in melon seed samples obtained from retailers and households in Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK) was evaluated. AFs and OTA were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection while CIT was analysed by HPLC-MS/MS. AFB1 was detected in all (100%) samples (mean = 9.7 μg kg−1; range = 0.2 - 66.5 μg kg−1). Mean total AFs was 12.0 μg kg−1 (range = 0.3 - 82 μg kg−1). Commercially retailed samples showed a significantly higher AFB1 contamination (p<0.05) than the household samples. OTA occurred in 3 (13.6%) samples, while 4 (18.2%) were contaminated with CIT at very low levels. In this study 68% of the melon seed samples were contaminated above the 2 μg kg−1 EU limit for AFB1 in oilseeds. These results highlight the need for the development of strategies to reduce AF contamination in “egusi” for human consumption.