Pre- and post-storage evaluation of nutritional profiles and aflatoxin contamination in maize, millet, and wheat in Oyo town

Abstract Cereal grains such as maize (Zea mays), millet (Pennisetum glaucum), and wheat (Triticum aestivum) are essential dietary staples in Nigeria, yet their nutritional quality and safety are often compromised by traditional storage practices. This study examined the impact of traditional storage on the nutritional quality and aflatoxin contamination of maize, millet, and wheat in Nigeria. Thirty grain samples (10 each) were collected, with one portion of each sample analysed immediately and the other stored for 7–8 months under traditional conditions. Proximate composition (protein, fat, ash, fibre, carbohydrate) and total aflatoxin levels were quantified using HPLC. Nutritional composition varied significantly (p