Determination of Aflatoxin Levels in Maize Stored in Traditional Granaries in Bauchi State, North East Nigeria

Aflatoxin contamination in stored maize presents a critical food safety hazard in sub-Saharan African settings where post-harvest handling and storage infrastructure are inadequate, contributing to chronic hepatotoxicity and immune suppression in affected populations. This study determines aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin levels in maize samples retrieved from traditional granary storage structures in five communities across three local government areas of Bauchi State, North East Nigeria. Samples are collected at three-month intervals from planting-season harvests stored for periods of one, three, and six months. Aflatoxin extraction follows the AOAC international solvent extraction procedure and quantification is performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection after immunoaffinity column cleanup. Storage conditions including moisture content, temperature, and relative humidity inside granaries are measured at time of sampling. Results are compared against European Union maximum residue levels of four micrograms per kilogram for aflatoxin B1 and ten micrograms per kilogram for total aflatoxins. The study investigates the relationship between storage duration, granary type, and aflatoxin accumulation. Findings are expected to demonstrate progressive contamination increase with storage duration in poorly ventilated structures and directly contribute to post-harvest management recommendations for maize safety in the North East zone. Keywords: aflatoxin, maize, post-harvest storage, Bauchi State, mycotoxin contamination