| Abstrakt: |
This study was included the estimation of a total number of bacteria (TB), a total number of coliform (TC), E. coli and molds and yeasts in 39 irrigation water samples, 75 soil samples, 75 paddy samples and 75 rice samples, in addition to estimation of aflatoxin in 75 rice samples. Three fields of each province, Diyala and Salah Al-Din were used to collect samples. Iraqi Quality Standardization (IQS) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were considered the limits for microbiological analyses. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine aflatoxin, and the Commission of the European Communities (CEC) was considered the limits, 4 μg/kg. The results showed that all irrigation water samples were exceeded the permissible limit for total coliform, molds and yeasts, while all soil and paddy samples were exceeded for total bacteria, total coliform and molds and yeasts. Rice samples were exceeded for only molds and yeasts. E-Coli in soil and rice was less than 3 bacteria/g, which was the detection limit, while in water and paddy was less than the FDA limit. The molds and yeasts counts were very high, for example, molds and yeasts of paddy and rice were ranged from (2.06-21.5) x107 cfu/ml, (1.20-12.0) x 106 cfu/g, respectively, while the limit was102-104. The number of samples that exceeded the permissible limit of total aflatoxin was 66 samples out of the 75 rice samples and the highest detected value was 16.40 μg/kg. In conclusion, rice samples were considered unsafe for human consumption from the fields and irrigation water and soil were the sources of the contamination therefore treatment for irrigation water should be strongly considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
