摘要：The Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) is favorable region for production of dried fruits due to its favorable climatic conditions and its exceptional fertile lands. However, these fruits invade by certain filamentous fungi in the field and may grow on foods during storage under favorable conditions of temperature and humidity resulted Aflatoxins are produced. In this study, three hundred samples of dried fruit (150-apricot and 150- walnut) were collected from retail shops, local markets and farmers of different District (Ghizer, Gilgit, Skardu) of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan and were analyzed for contamination level of afla- toxin B1 using thin layer chromatographic method. In addition, aflatoxin producing fungi was isolated from the collected contaminated samples during field survey by dilution-plate method. In the study Aspergillus flavus specie has been identified in the contaminated samples. Analytical result showed that aflatoxin Bi was detected in 30 sample (20%) of the total 150 samples analyzed in dried apricot kernel and 45 samples (30.0%) of the total 150 samples of walnut. The level of contamination was found to be in a range of 0.5-10 ug/Kg (in apricot kernel) and 0.6-15 ug/Kg (in walnut). Ten sample (6.5 %) of apricot kernel and 20 samples (13.30 %) of walnut were found above the safe limit for aflatoxin B1 (2 ug/kg), set by EU regulations. Moreover, aflatoxin B1 was detected in 20% of apricot kernel and 38% walnut samples collected from Skardu region, whereas, aflatoxin B1 was found in 14 % of apricot and 22 % of walnut samples in the Gilgit region. The high occurrence of aflatoxin may cause health hazards for consumers and limit exports. It was concluded that walnut is more susceptible for aflatoxin B1 production. Moreover, Skardu region was assumed to be more favorable to invade toxin producing fungus.
