PRESENCE OF MYCOTOXINS (AFLATOXIN B1 AND OCHRATOXIN A) IN EDIBLE CATERPILLARS (IMBRASIA OYEMENSIS) CONSUMED IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL-WESTERN COTE D'IVOIRE

The "ZEGRE" caterpillars from their scientific name (Imbrasia oyemensis) are edible insects very rich in proteins, vitamins and mineral salts. They feed mainly on the leaves of the tree with the vernacular name "Aboudikro" (Entandrophragma cylindricum). It is at the foot of these trees that they are harvested and dried before being eaten or marketed. Their richness in nutrients makes them foods of choice in the diet of the forest peoples of Côte d'Ivoire. However, the unsanitary environment in which this commodity is processed and dried suggests that it may contain mycotoxins. The objective of this study was to assess the level of contamination of treated and dried caterpillars with aflatoxins and ochratoxin A (OTA). Contaminants (ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1) were quantified in the caterpillar samples collected and dried by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results obtained reveal contamination by the mycotoxins sought at various concentrations. In the caterpillar samples from ZUENOULA, GOHITAFLA and MAN, the highest average concentrations were those of AFB1. Thus, mean loadings of aflatoxin B1 ranged from 0.280 ?g.kg-1 to 80.104 ?g.kg-1, with a mean of 24.152 ?g.kg-1 above the MRL of 2 ?g.kg-1. The OTA values ranged from 0.06 ?g.kg-1 to 0.740 ?g.kg-1 with a mean of 0.482 ?g.kg-1 below its MRL of 3 ?g.kg-1. Key words:- Côte d'Ivoire, Edible caterpillars, Imbrasia oyemensis, mycotoxins, contaminant