Ali Agus

A survey of aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin contamination in baby food, peanut and corn products sold at retail in Indonesia analysed by ELISA and HPLC

Aflatoxin contamination has been well known as a world-wide health-threatening problem in tropical countries including Indonesia. This research was undertaken to determine the degree of aflatoxin contamination in different Indonesian foodstuffs. A preliminary survey was carried out to evaluate the level of total aflatoxin (AfT) and aflatoxin B1 (AfB1) contamination of baby foods, peanut products, and corn products, which were purchased from traditional markets and supermarkets in Indonesia during the year 2001-2002. Eighty two peanut products, 12 baby foods products, and 11 corn products from different brands were analysed for AfT and AfB1 using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. The results indicate that, of the brands analysed, 35% of the peanut products were contaminated with aflatoxins at various levels (range 5 to 870 μg/kg). Peanut-chilli sauces had the highest percentage of AfT contamination 9/12 (75%), which was followed by traditional snacks 5/11 (45%), peanut butter 4/11 (40%), flour egg coated peanut 6/16 (37%), and peanut cake 3/10 (30%). Fried peanuts and roasted peanut were found to contain aflatoxin at relatively lower percentages of 9% and 8%, respectively. From the 12 analysed baby food samples, on the other hand, no sample was found to be contaminated with aflatoxins. Two of 11 samples (18%) of corn based products were contaminated with AfT, ranging between 5.8 and 12.4 μg/kg. Additionally, 30 selected samples in different concentration ranges were further analysed to verify the correlation between ELISA and HPLC techniques and results were compared.

Occurrence of fumonisins (B1, B2, B3) in maize-based food and feed samples from Indonesia

A survey to evaluate the contamination level of total fumonisins in maize-based foodstuffs, maize and feed from Indonesia is described. The analyses were carried out by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Samples were collected from local retail stores around Yogyakarta, Indonesia between February and May 2001. The 101 samples were classified into six categories, i.e. industrially-produced food (n=24), products of small food manufacturers (n=17), maize flour (n=4), maize for food (n=9), maize for feed (n17), and formulated feed (n30). Control of the method showed that the detection limit was 8.7 µg/kg and repeatability is shown by relative standard deviation (RSD) of analyses of contaminated maize (n=5) of 10 %. Results of analyses indicate that 80 samples analysed were contaminated over a large range from 10.0-3307 pg/kg, and the concentration of fumonisins depended on the type of sample. Of four samples of maize flour, none were contaminated (below detection limit). Of 24 samples of industrially produced food, 14 were contaminated in the range 22.8 - 105 µg/kg and 18 of 19 food samples from small manufacturers were contaminated ranging from 12.9 to 234 µg/kg. The highest contamination was observed in maize samples: six of ten samples of maize for food were contaminated between 68.0 - 2471 µg/kg and 16 of 17 samples for feed contained fumonisins over a large range from 17.6 to 3306 µg/kg.

A survey of fumonisins (B1, B2, B3) in Indonesian corn-based food and feed samples

In this paper a survey is described for determination of contamination level of fumonisins (B1, B2, B3) in Indonesian cornbased feed and food samples. The survey was conducted from February to May 2001. Foodstuffs, which are consumed directly such as snacks and other products, were investigated for fumonisin contamination. Of 105 food and feed samples purchased from local retail stores and local poultry shops around Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia were analyzed using ELISA. Results indicate that 74.3% of samples analyzed were contaminated in a large range of 10.0 – 3307 μg/kg, and the concentration of fumonisins depends on the type of samples. Detection limit of the method used was 9 μg/kg.From eight food samples of maize flour, and corn-based beverages and cereals, none was contaminated (below detection limit). For food samples of industrial products (19 samples), 13 were contaminated in the range of 22.8 – 105 μg/kg and 19 of 20 samples from home made products were contaminated between 12.9 – 234 μg/kg. The food samples contaminated in highest level occurred in corn. Of ten samples, 6 were contaminated from 68.0 – 2471 μg/kg. For feed samples, 17 corn samples were evaluated. Of those samples, 16 contained in a large range of 17.6 – 3306 μg/kg.

Natural occurrence of aflatoxin B1 in some Indonesian food and feed products in Yogyakarta in year 1998–1999

A survey was conducted between 1998–1999 to evaluate the level of aflatoxin B1 (AfB1) contamination in some selected Indonesian food products, mainly peanuts and peanut products for sale in supermarkets or traditional markets in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Quantitative analysis was carried out on 118 samples using the ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) technique. The results indicate that (61.1%) samples were contaminated with AfB1 at range 2.0 to 249.0 μg/kg. Approximately 50% of the baby food products analysed were contaminated with AfB1 and the maximum level found was 7.0 μg/kg. In corn products and fermented products, AfB1 was detected in 66.7 and 50.0% of samples, respectively. A level as high as 5.6 μg/kg of AfB1 was found in the corn and 6.0 μg/kg in fermented product. AfB1 was also detected in all rice products, feed products, and other processed products at levels of up to 7.0, 27.0, and 26.0 μg/kg, respectively.

Current situation and future prospects for beef cattle production in Indonesia — A review

Increasing demand in developing countries for animal sources of food including red meat is predicted to double by 2050. In Indonesia, there has always been a gap between supply and demand of beef with national beef production only satisfying about 45% of demand. This paper aims to describe the current features and prospects for beef production systems in Indonesia. The first part of the article reviews and analyses Indonesian beef cattle production systems. The second part addresses issues related to the current systems for beef production that could become important for future development of the beef industry in Indonesia. Recommendations to improve breeding and reproduction, to empower smallholder farmers, to improve the capacity of industry-related institutions to enhance technology transfer, and to develop systems for industry development such as integration of palm oil or plantations with beef cattle production are briefly discussed.

Effect of Molasses Addition Level to the Mixture of Calf Starter and Corn Fodder on Pellet Quality, Rumen Development and Performance of Holstein-Friesian Calves in Indonesia

Effect of molasses addition to complete calf starter (CCS) and the following pellet processing was evaluated with 12 Holstein- Friesian (HF) calves (7-14 d old with 42 ± 5.5 kg average BW), with 6 calves (replicate) per treatment. The CCS was formulated with 65% concentrate calf starter and 35% local corn fodder. On the CCS, molasses was added either 5% (M5) or 10% (M10), then the mixture was pelleted and fed to the calves for 7 weeks. Molasses addition, regardless of addition level, improved (p 0.05) in blood glucose level between M5 and M10. Length and number of papillae were not different (p>0.05) by the addition levels of molasses. However, there was one exception in number of papillae at caudo-dorsal sac which were higher (p<0.05) number in M5 than M10 calves. Considering the quality of CCS pellet, calf performance and rumen development, there was no additional benefit of 10% molasses addition compared to 5%. From the results of this study, 5% molasses addition could be recommended for local farmer when they utilize local corn fodder to make CCS for HF calves in Indonesia.