International Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Research (IJSETR), Volume 4, Issue 9, September 2015 3165 ISSN: 2278 – 7798 All Rights Reserved © 2015 IJSETR Effects of Fertilization on Aflatoxin Concentration in Fresh and Stored Groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) Evans A. Alenyorege, Felix K. Abagale, Albert Yawson, Nelson Opoku . Abstract—The study aimed at determining aflatoxin concentration in groundnuts cultivated using Yaralegume and Humate Green OK fertilizers at four (4) communities in the Lambusie-Karni District of the Upper West Region of Ghana. In all, twenty four (24) fresh and stored groundnut samples were analysed using standard fluorometric method and procedures. All groundnut samples tested contained detectable concentrations of total aflatoxins with two fresh samples producing concentrations of 3.59 and 4.58 ppb which were within the Limit of Quantification (LOQ). Fresh and stored groundnuts contained aflatoxins in the range of 3.59 - 13.21 ppb and 10.43 - 93.43 ppb respectively indicating significantly (p < 0.05) high concentrations after storage. Aflatoxin concentration in fresh groundnuts where fertilizer was not applied increased from 34.19-62.05 % after storage whilst it reduced significantly from 24.41 - 19.23 % and 37.40 - 18.72 % in fields where Yaralegume fertilizer only and a combination of Yaralegume and Green OK fertilizers were used. Two stored samples however recorded aflatoxin levels of 93.43 ppb and 52.92 ppb which were noted to be above Ghana Standards Authority maximum allowable limit of 20 ppb. The potential of reducing the concentration of aflatoxins in fresh and stored groundnuts cultivated using the Yaralegume fertilizer and a combination of Yaralegume and Humate Green OK fertilizers was observed. Evans A. Alenyorege Department of Agricultural Mechanization and Irrigation Technology, University for Development Studies, Tamale-Ghana. Felix K. Abagale Department of Agricultural Mechanization and Irrigation Technology, University for Development Studies, Tamale-Ghana. Albert Yawson Department of Agricultural Mechanization and Irrigation Technology, University for Development Studies, Tamale-Ghana. Nelson Opoku Department of Biotechnology, University forDevelopment Studies, Tamale-Ghana. Index Terms —Fertilization, Aflatoxin, Groundnuts, Fluorometric I. INTRODUCTION In spite of the significance of groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) as food, the incidence of aflatoxin contamination has the ability to limit its importance in the human diet since food safety is a fundamental measure for food security in sub-Saharan Africa where major food losses, health challenges and human fatalities have stemmed from contamination of major staples by fungal pathogens [1], [2]. One of the major problems in groundnut production and supply globally is aflatoxin contamination, which is of great concern in groundnuts and groundnut products consumption as this toxin can cause carcinogenic, immunosuppressive, hepathogenic and teratogenic effects in humans and animals [3]. Infection of groundnut by Aspergillus flavus occurs not only under post-harvest but also during cultivation and harvest conditions [4]. The Food and Agriculture Organization in 2002 estimated that 25 % of food crops worldwide were affected while the Center for Disease Control in 2004 reported that more than 4.5 billion people in the developing world are exposed to aflatoxins. The incidence of these toxins in Ghanaian groundnuts and other crops has been well documented for many years. Awuah and Ellis [5] found groundnut samples from 21 selected markets in 10 regions of Ghana with high levels of the toxin; infection was found in 31.7 % of the damaged kernels examined, and 12.8 % of the undamaged kernels. Several approaches to reducing or managing aflatoxin contamination have been proposed [6], [7], [8]. They include; pre-harvest, at-harvest and post- harvest management practices; use of tolerant seed varieties and biocontrol measures. On-farm tests have been conducted in several countries in Asia and Africa to investigate not just technologies, such as the use of varieties that are tolerant or resistant to Aspergillus flavus, but also cultural practices, such as the use of soil amendments, and post-harvest handling on yield and aflatoxin contamination. Although increased levels of aflatoxin contamination in post-harvest groundnut samples have been reported [9], the advent of readily available fertilizers