Table 2.
Analysis of chromatographic techniques used in aflatoxin testing.
| No. | Type of analytical method | Characteristics of analytical method | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Total liquid chromatography | - Traditional method used for aflatoxin analysis. | (24, 25) |
| - Low cost and no complex equipment required compared to high performance liquid chromatography. | |||
| - The results are based on visual comparisons and the intensity of spot which does not allow for precise quantitation of aflatoxin content. | |||
| 2. | High performance liquid chromatography | - Most common and widely recommended method in international pharmacopeias. (British Pharmacopeia, European Pharmacopeia) | (24, 26–28) |
| - Requires expensive complex high performance liquid chromatography machines. | |||
| - Provides precise and accurate results computed by complex software and tools. | |||
| - The results can be used for accurate quantitation of aflatoxins. | |||
| 3. | Gas chromatography | - Requires mass spectrometers. | (24) |
| - Requires additional derivatization step compared to liquid chromatography. | |||
| - High sensitivity results. | |||
| - Time consuming technique compared to liquid chromatography. |