scholarly journals The Atoxigenic Biocontrol Product Aflasafe SN01 Is a Valuable Tool to Mitigate Aflatoxin Contamination of Both Maize and Groundnut Cultivated in Senegal

Plant Disease ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 510-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Senghor ◽  
A. Ortega-Beltran ◽  
J. Atehnkeng ◽  
K. A. Callicott ◽  
P. J. Cotty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Aspergillus Flavus ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
International Markets ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Aflatoxin Contamination ◽  
Active Ingredients ◽  
Aflatoxin Content ◽  
Open Access Article ◽  
Aspergillus Section

Aflatoxin contamination of groundnut and maize infected by Aspergillus section Flavi fungi is common throughout Senegal. The use of biocontrol products containing atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains to reduce crop aflatoxin content has been successful in several regions, but no such products are available in Senegal. The biocontrol product Aflasafe SN01 was developed for use in Senegal. The four active ingredients of Aflasafe SN01 are atoxigenic A. flavus genotypes native to Senegal and distinct from active ingredients used in other biocontrol products. Efficacy tests on groundnut and maize in farmers’ fields were carried out in Senegal during the course of 5 years. Active ingredients were monitored with vegetative compatibility analyses. Significant (P < 0.05) displacement of aflatoxin producers occurred in all years, districts, and crops. In addition, crops from Aflasafe SN01-treated fields contained significantly (P < 0.05) fewer aflatoxins both at harvest and after storage. Most crops from treated fields contained aflatoxin concentrations permissible in both local and international markets. Results suggest that Aflasafe SN01 is an effective tool for aflatoxin mitigation in groundnut and maize. Large-scale use of Aflasafe SN01 should provide health, trade, and economic benefits for Senegal. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license .

scholarly journals Prevalence of Aflatoxin Contamination in Maize and Groundnut in Ghana: Population Structure, Distribution, and Toxigenicity of the Causal Agents

Plant Disease ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 764-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Agbetiameh ◽  
A. Ortega-Beltran ◽  
R. T. Awuah ◽  
J. Atehnkeng ◽  
P. J. Cotty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Open Access ◽  
Aspergillus Flavus ◽  
Economic Burden ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Aflatoxin Contamination ◽  
Agroecological Zones ◽  
First Time ◽  
Open Access Article ◽  
Aspergillus Section

Aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut is perennial in Ghana with substantial health and economic burden on the population. The present study examined for the first time the prevalence of aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut in major producing regions across three agroecological zones (AEZs) in Ghana. Furthermore, the distribution and aflatoxin-producing potential of Aspergillus species associated with both crops were studied. Out of 509 samples (326 of maize and 183 of groundnut), 35% had detectable levels of aflatoxins. Over 15% of maize and 11% of groundnut samples exceeded the aflatoxin threshold limits set by the Ghana Standards Authority of 15 and 20 ppb, respectively. Mycoflora analyses revealed various species and morphotypes within the Aspergillus section Flavi. A total of 5,083 isolates were recovered from both crops. The L morphotype of Aspergillus flavus dominated communities with 93.3% of the population, followed by Aspergillus spp. with S morphotype (6%), A. tamarii (0.4%), and A. parasiticus (0.3%). Within the L morphotype, the proportion of toxigenic members was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of atoxigenic members across AEZs. Observed and potential aflatoxin concentrations indicate that on-field aflatoxin management strategies need to be implemented throughout Ghana. The recovered atoxigenic L morphotype fungi are genetic resources that can be employed as biocontrol agents to limit aflatoxin contamination of maize and groundnut in Ghana. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license .

scholarly journals Postharvest Practices of Maize Farmers in Kaiti District, Kenya and the Impact of Hermetic Storage on Populations of Aspergillus Spp. and Aflatoxin Contamination

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angeline W Maina ◽  
John M Wagacha ◽  
Francis B Mwaura ◽  
James W Muthomi ◽  
Charles P Woloshuk
Keyword(s):  
Aflatoxin Contamination ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Hermetic Storage ◽  
Aflatoxin Content ◽  
Aspergillus Section Flavi ◽  
Triple Layer ◽  
Storage Methods ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Aspergillus Section

Aflatoxin contamination in maize by Aspergillus spp. is a major problem causing food, income and health concerns. A study was carried out in Kaiti District in Lower Eastern Kenya to evaluate the effect of three months storage of maize in triple-layer hermetic (PICS™) bags on the population of Aspergillus spp. and levels of aflatoxin. Postharvest practices by maize farmers including time of harvesting, drying and storage methods were obtained with a questionnaire. Aspergillus spp. in soil and maize were isolated by serial dilution-plating and aflatoxin content was measured using Vicam method. Maize was mostly stored in woven polypropylene (PP) and sisal bags within granaries and living houses. Aspergillus flavus L-strain was the most predominant isolate from soil (Mean = 8.4 x102 CFU/g),on the harvested grain (4.1 x 102 CFU/g) and grain sampled after three months of storage (1.1 x 103 CFU/g). The type of storage bag significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced the population of members of Aspergillus section Flavi, with A. flavus (S and L strains) and A. parasiticus being 71% higher in PP bags than in PICS bags. Total aflatoxin in maize sampled at harvest and after three months storage ranged from <5 to 42.7 ppb with 55% lower aflatoxin content in PICS bags than in PP bags. After storage, the population of Aspergillus section Flavi was positively correlated with aflatoxin levels. The results of this study demonstrate that PICS bags are an effective management option for reducing population of toxigenic Aspergillus spp. and aflatoxin in stored maize.

Reduction in Aflatoxin Content of Maize by Atoxigenic Strains of Aspergillus flavus

1991 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 623-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERT L. BROWN ◽  
PETER J. COTTY ◽  
THOMAS E. CLEVELAND
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Aspergillus Flavus ◽  
Aflatoxin Contamination ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Field Plot ◽  
Toxigenic Strain ◽  
Aflatoxin Content ◽  
Potential Use

In field plot experiments, an atoxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus interfered with preharvest aflatoxin contamination of corn when applied either simultaneously with or one day prior to a toxigenic strain. The atoxigenic strain reduced preharvest aflatoxin contamination 80 to 95%. The atoxigenic strain was also effective in reducing postharvest aflatoxin contamination caused by both an introduced toxigenic strain and by strains resident on the kernels. The results suggest that atoxigenic strains of A. flavus may have potential use as biological control agents directed at reducing both preharvest and postharvest aflatoxin contamination of corn.

scholarly journals Effects of Genotype and Date of Harvest on Infection of Peanut Seed by Aspergillus flavus and Subsequent Contamination with Aflatoxin1

1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. K. Mehan ◽  
D. McDonald ◽  
N. Ramakrishna ◽  
J. H. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Flavus ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Aflatoxin Contamination ◽  
The Other ◽  
Seed Infection ◽  
Peanut Seed ◽  
Aflatoxin Content ◽  
Peanut Crop ◽  
Increased Susceptibility

Abstract Several peanut genotypes reported as resistant, susceptible or highly susceptible to in vitro colonization of rehydrated, mature, stored, undamaged seed by Aspergillus flavus (IVSCAF) were tested for natural seed infection by A. flavus and other fungi in two or more replicated field trials at ICRISAT Center, Patancheru, India, in 1979–1984. Undamaged pods were sampled before maturity, at optimum maturity (normal harvest) and when over - mature (late harvest) and seed examined for infection by A. flavus and other fungi. In the 1983 and 1984 rainy and 1983/84 postrainy seasons, only four genotypes (one resistant and three susceptible) were tested, and seed were also tested for aflatoxin content. In all seasons the genotypes reported as IVSCAF - resistant had significantly lower levels of seed infection with A. flavus and other fungi than did genotypes reported as IVSCAF - susceptible. Cenotypic differences in levels of seed infection by A. flavus were consistent over seasons. The resistant cultivar J11 had a significantly lower aflatoxin content than the other three IVSCAF - susceptible genotypes tested in the 1983–1984 seasons. Drought stress in the 1984 season apparently increased susceptibility to seed infection by A. flavus and other fungi, and to aflatoxin contamination, in all cultivars. Seed infection by A. flavus and other fungi, and aflatoxin contamination increased with increasing maturity of pods, indicating the importance of lifting the peanut crop at optimum maturity.

scholarly journals Aflasafe SN01 is the first biocontrol product approved for aflatoxin mitigation in two nations, Senegal and The Gambia

Plant Disease ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamine A. Senghor ◽  
Alejandro Ortega-Beltran ◽  
Joseph Atehnkeng ◽  
Patrick Jarju ◽  
Peter Cotty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Flavus ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Aflatoxin Contamination ◽  
The Gambia ◽  
Commercial Use ◽  
Aflatoxin Content ◽  
First Time

Aflatoxin contamination is caused by Aspergillus flavus and closely related fungi. In The Gambia, aflatoxin contamination of groundnut and maize, two staple and economically important crops, is common. Groundnut and maize consumers are chronically exposed to aflatoxins, sometimes at alarming levels, and this has severe consequences on their health and productivity. Aflatoxin contamination also impedes commercialization in local and international premium markets. In neighboring Senegal, an aflatoxin biocontrol product containing four atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus, Aflasafe SN01, has been registered and is approved for commercial use in groundnut and maize. We detected that the four genotypes composing Aflasafe SN01 are also native to The Gambia. The biocontrol product was tested during two years in 129 maize and groundnut fields and compared with corresponding untreated fields cropped by smallholder farmers in The Gambia. Treated crops contained up to 100% less aflatoxins than untreated crops. A large portion of the crops could have been commercialized in premium markets due to the low aflatoxin content (in many cases no detectable aflatoxins), both at harvest and after storage. Substantial aflatoxin reductions were also achieved when commercially-produced groundnut received treatment. Here we report for the first time the use and effectiveness of an aflatoxin biocontrol product registered for use in two nations. With the current scale-out and -up efforts of Aflasafe SN01, a large number of farmers, consumers, and traders in The Gambia and Senegal will obtain health, income, and trade benefits.

scholarly journals Aflatoxin in Chili Peppers in Nigeria: Extent of Contamination and Control Using Atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus Genotypes as Biocontrol Agents

Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chibundu N. Ezekiel ◽  
Alejandro Ortega-Beltran ◽  
Eniola O. Oyedeji ◽  
Joseph Atehnkeng ◽  
Philip Kössler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Flavus ◽  
Human Exposure ◽  
International Markets ◽  
Biocontrol Agents ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Aspergillus Section Flavi ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Chili Peppers ◽  
And Control ◽  
Aspergillus Section

Across sub-Saharan Africa, chili peppers are fundamental ingredients of many traditional dishes. However, chili peppers may contain unsafe aflatoxin concentrations produced by Aspergillus section Flavi fungi. Aflatoxin levels were determined in chili peppers from three states in Nigeria. A total of 70 samples were collected from farmers’ stores and local markets. Over 25% of the samples contained unsafe aflatoxin concentrations. The chili peppers were associated with both aflatoxin producers and atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus genotypes. Efficacy of an atoxigenic biocontrol product, Aflasafe, registered in Nigeria for use on maize and groundnut, was tested for chili peppers grown in three states. Chili peppers treated with Aflasafe accumulated significantly less aflatoxins than nontreated chili peppers. The results suggest that Aflasafe is a valuable tool for the production of safe chili peppers. Use of Aflasafe in chili peppers could reduce human exposure to aflatoxins and increase chances to commercialize chili peppers in premium local and international markets. This is the first report of the efficacy of any atoxigenic biocontrol product for controlling aflatoxin in a spice crop.

scholarly journals Aflatoxin Contamination of Commercial Cottonseed in South Texas

2003 ◽  
Vol 93 (9) ◽  
pp. 1190-1200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramon Jaime-Garcia ◽  
Peter J. Cotty
Keyword(s):  
Rio Grande Valley ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Aflatoxin Contamination ◽  
South Texas ◽  
Federal Regulations ◽  
Fungal Metabolites ◽  
Aflatoxin Content ◽  
Recurrent Patterns ◽  
Coast Region ◽  
Aspergillus Section

Aflatoxins are toxic fungal metabolites produced by several members of Aspergillus section Flavi. U.S. federal regulations limit the use of aflatoxin-contaminated cottonseed. Cottonseed with aflatoxin content of 20 ng/g or higher may not enter the profitable dairy market. Between 4,472 and 9,949 truckloads of cottonseed from 31 to 35 gins in South Texas were analyzed for aflatoxin content each year from 1997 to 2001 upon receipt at the Valley Co-op Oil Mill in Harlingen, TX. The highest levels of contamination occurred in 1999, with an average aflatoxin content of 112 ng/g and 66% of the cottonseed truckloads exceeding 20 ng/g. Years 1997 and 2000 had the lowest aflatoxin levels, averaging 24 ng/g, with the lowest incidence (16%) of the truckloads exceeding 20 ng/g in 1997. In general, aflatoxin contamination increased as the ginning season progressed. Rainfall after boll opening correlated highly with aflatoxin content, with rainfall in July explaining over 50% of the observed variability in aflatoxin content. South Texas was divided into four regions: Rio Grande Valley, Coastal Bend, Upper Coast, and Winter Garden. Geostatistical analyses revealed recurrent patterns of high and low contamination. The greatest contamination occurred from the central Coastal Bend region through the southern Upper Coast region. The Rio Grande Valley region experienced the least contamination during the study period.

scholarly journals Fungal Biodeterioration, Aflatoxin Contamination, and Nutrient Value of “Suya Spices”

Scientifica ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Segun Gbolagade Jonathan ◽  
Mary Adejoke Adeniyi ◽  
Michael Dare Asemoloye
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Niger ◽  
Aspergillus Flavus ◽  
Aspergillus Parasiticus ◽  
Aflatoxin Contamination ◽  
Aspergillus Ochraceus ◽  
Rhizopus Stolonifer ◽  
Aflatoxin Content ◽  
Trichoderma Koningii ◽  
Nutrient Value ◽  
Aflatoxin B

This work aimed to analyze the nutrient values, examine the biodeteriorating fungi biota, and analyze the mycotoxin contents of “Suya spices.” Fungi with highest percentage occurrence on all the samples areAspergillus niger,Aspergillus flavus,Aspergillus parasiticus,Aspergillus ochraceus,Fusariumsp.,Rhizopus stolonifer, yeast, andTrichoderma koningii. Nutrient composition of the samples is significantly different statistically (P<0.05) with high protein (9.53% to 13.17%), fiber (9.27 to 13.17%), carbohydrate (46.27% to 50.90%), and ash (8.47% to 9.70%) contents but low moisture (9.03% to 9.47%) and fat (9.77% to 13.53%) contents. Aflatoxin analysis of the samples revealed that they all contain aflatoxin in varying amount but no detectible aflatoxin content in the control. 59.54% of the detected aflatoxin is aflatoxin B1with highest recorded in Agbowo, Mokola, and Sango samples (i.e., 28.03, 22.44, and 13.8 μg/kg, resp.). 4.78% of the aflatoxin is aflatoxin B2which is only found in Sango and Mokola samples (3.59 and 2.6 μg/kg, resp.). 32.76% of aflatoxin is aflatoxin G1with the highest found in Agbowo and Mokola samples (i.e., 18.63 and 10.41 μg/kg, resp.). 2.93% of the aflatoxin is aflatoxin G2which is only detected in Sango and Agbowo samples (i.e., 1.19 and 2.65 μg/kg, resp.).

Screening for the FV: Q506 Mutation – Evaluation of Thirteen Plasma-based Methods for their Diagnostic Efficacy in Comparison with DNA Analysis

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (03) ◽  
pp. 436-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armando Tripodi ◽  
Barbara Negri ◽  
Rogier M Bertina ◽  
Pier Mannuccio Mannucci
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Genetic Defect ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Factor V ◽  
Factor X ◽  
Diagnostic Efficacy ◽  
Dna Test

SummaryThe factor V (FV) mutation Q506 that causes resistance to activated protein C (APC) is the genetic defect associated most frequently with venous thrombosis. The laboratory diagnosis can be made by DNA analysis or by clotting tests that measure the degree of prolongation of plasma clotting time upon addition of APC. Home-made and commercial methods are available but no comparative evaluation of their diagnostic efficacy has so far been reported. Eighty frozen coded plasma samples from carriers and non-carriers of the FV: Q506 mutation, diagnosed by DNA analysis, were sent to 8 experienced laboratories that were asked to analyze these samples in blind with their own APC resistance tests. The APTT methods were highly variable in their capacity to discriminate between carriers and non-carriers but this capacity increased dramatically when samples were diluted with FV-deficient plasma before analysis, bringing the sensitivity and specificity of these tests to 100%. The best discrimination was obtained with methods in which fibrin formation is triggered by the addition of activated factor X or Russell viper venom. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that some coagulation tests are able to distinguish carriers of the FV: Q506 mutation from non-carriers as well as the DNA test. They are inexpensive and easy to perform. Their use in large-scale clinical trials should be of help to determine the medical and economic benefits of screening healthy individuals for the mutation before they are exposed to such risk factors for venous thrombosis as surgery, pregnancy and oral contraceptives.

Economic benefit of shale gas exploitation based on back propagation neural network

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 8823-8830
Author(s):  
Jiafeng Li ◽  
Hui Hu ◽  
Xiang Li ◽  
Qian Jin ◽  
Tianhao Huang
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Bp Neural Network ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Linear Prediction ◽  
Back Propagation ◽  
Back Propagation Neural Network ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Gas Well ◽  
Well Production

Under the influence of COVID-19, the economic benefits of shale gas development are greatly affected. With the large-scale development and utilization of shale gas in China, it is increasingly important to assess the economic impact of shale gas development. Therefore, this paper proposes a method for predicting the production of shale gas reservoirs, and uses back propagation (BP) neural network to nonlinearly fit reservoir reconstruction data to obtain shale gas well production forecasting models. Experiments show that compared with the traditional BP neural network, the proposed method can effectively improve the accuracy and stability of the prediction. There is a nonlinear correlation between reservoir reconstruction data and gas well production, which does not apply to traditional linear prediction methods

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