ISSN: 2410-9649 Nasir et al / Chemistry International 7(4) (2021) 224-229 iscientic.org. 224 http://bosaljournals.com/chemint editorci@bosaljournals.com Article type: Research article Article history: Received March 2021 Accepted August 2021 October 2021 Issue Keywords: Aflatoxins Dry fruits Food safety Fungal growth ELISA The present research work is being executed on account of detection of aflatoxins B1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 in dry fruits. Total 50 samples of dry fruits including dried figs, dried apricots, peanuts, almonds and dried dates were collected from different areas of Punjab, Pakistan and were analyzed for aflatoxin detection (AFs) by enzyme linked immunoassay technique (ELISA). The results showed that AFs were detected in 33% (n = 17) samples having range from 2.8-14 μg/kg in dry fruits, with an average limit 9.12 μg/kg. In 59% (n=10) samples of dried fruits the AFs limit was above the maximum limits, i.e., ML = 10 μg/kg as given by European Union (EU). Moreover, 41% (n=7) of the total detected samples having AFs limits below the maximum limit of aflatoxins as purposed by the EU. It is hereby concluded that the need is to launch an uninterrupted and rigid national supervising architectural plan in order to raise the standard and safety of dry fruits for human consumption. © 2021 International Scientific Organization: All rights reserved. Capsule Summary: The aflatoxins (B1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2) were monitored in dry fruits by ELISA and AFTs levels detected in fruits revealed contamination, which need to be monitored regular for human consumption. Cite This Article As: A. Nazir, M. Asif, I. Kalim, N. Ahmad and M. Iqbal. Quantification of aflatoxins in dry fruits using ELISA with reference to standards for human consumption. Chemistry International 7(4) (2021) 224-229. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6801794 INTRODUCTION Aflatoxin is a standout amongst the most lethal moieties found in nature that can be harmful to people and different creatures (Gratz et al., 2007). These are considered as carcinogenic, hepatogenic, mutagenic, immunosuppressing and neoplastic (Varga et al., 2011a). Aflatoxin is considered as cancer-causing agent (Humans, 2002) indicated by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Different kinds of staple food items which may had the chance of getting contamination with aflatoxin including oilseed, spices (chilies, black pepper) cereal, tree nut, maize, groundnut (peanut, pistachio, fig, dried fruits), cheese, milk and dairy goods. Contamination of food items due to aflatoxin is a great concern regarding food quality and security (Hassan et al., 2017a; Iqbal, M et al., 2019; Kamran et al., 2018). Mycotoxins, secondary metabolites, are produced by fungus during chemical or enzymatic reactions and largely affects human beings, animals and plants (Binder et al. 2007). Owing to mycotoxins contamination huge amount of crop spoils per year (Jubeen et al., 2020). Unfortunately, Pakistan is present in the temperate region which is most favorable growth of AFs producing fungi. IARC ranked AFs as 1A class human carcinogen (Cancer, 2002). AFs are formed by a specific genus of molds named Aspergillus (Gerbaldo et al., Chemistry International 7(4) (2021) 224-229 Quantification of aflatoxins in dry fruits using ELISA with reference to standards for human consumption Arif Nazir 1* , Muhammad Asif 1 , Imran Kalim 2 , Naveed Ahmad 3 and Munawar Iqbal 1 1 Department of Chemistry, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan 2 Food and Biotechnology Research Centre, PCSIR Complex Laboratories, Lahore, Pakistan 3 Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan *Corresponding E. mail: anmalik77@gmail.com ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT