Critical Periods of Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize during Post-Harvest Management in Velingara (Senegal)

Aflatoxin contamination in groundnut by Aspergillus section Flavi is a major pre- and post-harvest problem causing kernel-quality loss. Post-harvest aflatoxin contamination is caused initially by infestation of aflatoxigenic strains at the pre-harvest stage, resulting in reduced kernel quality after harvest. Improper handling of pods and storage methods after harvest lead to high moisture and ambient temperatures, directly causing aflatoxin contamination. In this review, we report the extent of post-harvest contamination along the groundnut value chain in the Kolokani, Kayes, and Kita districts of Mali in West Africa. Groundnut kernels and paste samples were collected from retailers in selected markets from December 2010 to June 2011, and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) content was estimated. Aflatoxin was significantly higher in groundnut paste than in kernels. Kolokani recorded the highest toxin levels in both kernels and groundnut paste compared with the other districts. Overall, AFB1 levels in kernels and paste increased during storage at the market level in the three districts and were above permissible levels (≯20 μg/kg). The effect of weather factors on post-harvest contamination and the reasons for aflatoxin build-up in Mali are discussed. This paper also highlights different management tools for reducing post-harvest aflatoxin contamination, such as post-harvest grain handling, post-harvest machinery, physical separation, storage methods and conditions, disinfestation, detoxification, inactivation, filtration, binding agents, and antifungal compounds. Post-harvest management options and enhanced use of good agricultural practices for mitigating this problem in Mali are also presented.

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Mitigating Aflatoxin Contamination in Groundnut through A Combination of Genetic Resistance and Post-Harvest Management Practices

Toxins ◽

10.3390/toxins11060315 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 315 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Manish K. Pandey ◽

Rakesh Kumar ◽

Arun K. Pandey ◽

Pooja Soni ◽

Sunil S. Gangurde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Genetic Resistance ◽

Aflatoxin Production ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Aflatoxin Contamination ◽

Harvest Management ◽

Stunted Growth ◽

Post Harvest ◽

Crop Varieties

Aflatoxin is considered a “hidden poison” due to its slow and adverse effect on various biological pathways in humans, particularly among children, in whom it leads to delayed development, stunted growth, liver damage, and liver cancer. Unfortunately, the unpredictable behavior of the fungus as well as climatic conditions pose serious challenges in precise phenotyping, genetic prediction and genetic improvement, leaving the complete onus of preventing aflatoxin contamination in crops on post-harvest management. Equipping popular crop varieties with genetic resistance to aflatoxin is key to effective lowering of infection in farmer’s fields. A combination of genetic resistance for in vitro seed colonization (IVSC), pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination (PAC) and aflatoxin production together with pre- and post-harvest management may provide a sustainable solution to aflatoxin contamination. In this context, modern “omics” approaches, including next-generation genomics technologies, can provide improved and decisive information and genetic solutions. Preventing contamination will not only drastically boost the consumption and trade of the crops and products across nations/regions, but more importantly, stave off deleterious health problems among consumers across the globe.

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Biological Control and Mitigation of Aflatoxin Contamination in Commodities

Toxins ◽

10.3390/toxins13020104 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 104

Author(s):

Ferenc Peles ◽

Péter Sipos ◽

Szilvia Kovács ◽

Zoltán Győri ◽

István Pócsi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Competitive Exclusion ◽

Aflatoxin Contamination ◽

Post Harvest ◽

Physical Chemical ◽

Synthetic Chemicals ◽

Ruminal Degradation

Aflatoxins (AFs) are toxic secondary metabolites produced mostly by Aspergillus species. AF contamination entering the feed and food chain has been a crucial long-term issue for veterinarians, medicals, agroindustry experts, and researchers working in this field. Although different (physical, chemical, and biological) technologies have been developed, tested, and employed to mitigate the detrimental effects of mycotoxins, including AFs, universal methods are still not available to reduce AF levels in feed and food in the last decades. Possible biological control by bacteria, yeasts, and fungi, their excretes, the role of the ruminal degradation, pre-harvest biocontrol by competitive exclusion or biofungicides, and post-harvest technologies and practices based on biological agents currently used to alleviate the toxic effects of AFs are collected in this review. Pre-harvest biocontrol technologies can give us the greatest opportunity to reduce AF production on the spot. Together with post-harvest applications of bacteria or fungal cultures, these technologies can help us strictly reduce AF contamination without synthetic chemicals.

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Effect of Harvest Date on Mango (Mangifera Indica L. Cultivar Osteen) Fruit’s Qualitative Development, Shelf Life and Consumer Acceptance

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11040811 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 811

Author(s):

Giuseppe Gianguzzi ◽

Vittorio Farina ◽

Paolo Inglese ◽

Maria Gloria Lobo Rodrigo

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Mangifera Indica ◽

Storage Period ◽

Environmental Parameters ◽

Internal Quality ◽

Harvest Management ◽

Post Harvest ◽

Full Flowering ◽

Constant Quality ◽

Definition Of

The qualitative characteristics of mango fruits change throughout their development process and are also influenced by their duration. Harvesting at different times after the fruit set affects external and internal quality and the post-harvest behavior and management possibilities of the fruits. The objective of this study was to assess the evolution of the most important physicochemical and organoleptic parameters of cv. Osteen fruits concern the length of their stay on the plant and also to their post-harvest management. For this reason, fruits were harvested progressively in ten pickings. The study showed that mango fruits that are kept on the tree reach the best quality traits, corresponding to their physiological maturation. The length of the storage period needed to reach the consumption point varies greatly according to the harvesting moment and to the different environmental parameters, which also affect the organoleptic and physicochemical quality of the fruits. The number of days after full flowering were confirmed to be the primary information to consider when planning harvest with commercial use of the fruit, but interesting indications can be acquired through the definition of non-destructive (hardness, color) or destructive (dry matter) parameters. The data collected help improve mango fruit′s post-harvest management practices, to provide a product with constant quality and homogeneity to the consumer.

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Gender Participation on Rice Post-harvest Activities in Bangladesh

Journal of Environmental Science and Natural Resources ◽

10.3329/jesnr.v8i1.24670 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 45-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M Jahan ◽

JR Sarker

Keyword(s):

Natural Resources ◽

Survey Data ◽

Decision Maker ◽

Harvest Management ◽

Participatory Approaches ◽

Farm Level ◽

Post Harvest ◽

Suitable Solution ◽

The Right ◽

Gender Participation

The study was undertaken to examine the extent of women along with men participated in post-harvest activities; to identify the problems and constraints faced by them and find suitable solution from their perception. The post-harvest activities were estimated at farm level in Aman rice at Rangpur, Nilphamari, Khulna, Satkhira and Jessore district of Bangladesh by using survey data collected randomly from 270 rice growing households for the year 2012-13. It employed participatory approaches to investigate farmers perceptions on post-harvest management. The analyses shows women spends more time (591 hours ha-1) on PH activities than men (581 hours ha-1) but the ultimate decision maker of those activities are male indicating that women are very seldom given the opportunities to implement their ideas for execution although they are now gaining the right to give their opinion because of social awareness.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(1): 45-50 2015

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