Knowledge and adoption of aflatoxin management practices in groundnut

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) is the most important oilseed crop in Gujarat, India, and occupies an area of 1.9 million ha with a production of 1.5 million t. Eighty per cent of groundnut production is utilized for oil extraction and 10 % is used for direct human consumption in the state. There is a great potential for direct consumption of groundnut and groundnut-based products due to its high nutritive value as it is eminently suitable for ‘cheap fast food ’ both in the natural state and after processing. The major challenge to diversify groundnut from oil extraction to food purpose is the aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxins are the toxic substances produced by toxigenic strains of fungi, Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. Groundnut can be contaminated with aflatoxin at various stages before harvest, during fiel