Browsing by Author "Agbeve, Nelson Kwasi"

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    Disc attrition mill (corn mill) as a medium for aflatoxin contamination in milled maize
    (March, 2016) Agbeve, Nelson Kwasi
    Two (2) disc attrition mill popularly known in Ghana as “nika nika” were selected from two sub metros of different socioeconomic status (Low income earners and High income earners) in Kumasi. They were audited against good manufacturing practices (GMP) checklist. Maize samples were purchased from the market at each sample point. They were filled into low density polyethylene (LDPE) zip lock bags and wrapped in aluminum foil. They were distributed to the four corn mill facilities in an ice chest filled with ice in the morning and peak period of the day of maximum and minimum sale at each sampling point. The samples and the controls were analyzed for aflatoxin. The four disc attrition mills scored below 25 % after the GMP audit. This was an indication of poor hygienic conditions that existed. The data obtained from the laboratory was analyzed. The aflatoxin levels of the maize sold in the market significantly exceeded the maximum acceptable level in Ghana with a p < 0.05. Samples milled in the morning and the peak of the day of maximum sale showed significant increase in the level of aflatoxin with p < 0.05. This increment may be attributed to the fact that, the test samples had contact with previously milled products that were contaminated with aflatoxin as well as remnants that got stuck in the grinding discs. A p > 0.05 showed that there was no significant increase in the level of aflatoxin in the test samples milled in the morning and peak period of the day of minimum sale. The test samples that were milled by disc attrition mills located in the low income earners communities were significantly higher than those in high income earners (p < 0.05). This implied that, clients who patronize disc attrition mills at the low income communities were at higher risk of aflatoxin contamination of their samples than those in the high income earners communities.