Occurrence of Aflatoxins in Rice Intended for Infant Flour Production in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

A total of four samples of rice intended for infant flour production in Ouagadougou were received at the Physico-chemistry laboratory of Food Technology Department (DTA) for quality control. The latter were also tested for Aspergillus section Flavi presence and analyzed for aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 content using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Among the twenty (20) strains of mold isolated from these samples, three Aspergillus section Flavi were obtained and cultivated in “Aspergillus flavus and parasiticus Agar (AFPA)” to ascertain if they belong to Aspergillus flavus or Aspergillus parasiticus species. The qualitative ability of aflatoxin production was also performed by fluorescence emission under ultra violet light at 365 nm after four days of incubation at 30 °C on Coconut Agar Medium (CAM). Statistical analysis results showed that 75% of samples were contaminated with total aflatoxins (AFs) with contents ranging from 0.54 ± 0.06 to 2.40 ± 0.07 µg/Kg. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and aflatoxin B2 (AFB2) were detected in two contaminated samples. AFB1 had the highest concentration as compared with other aflatoxins. A significant level of contamination (p< 0.0001) was observed in sample R441 compared to other sample types.

An Effort to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of corn farmers' production in Sidomulyo Village, Samarinda

Corn farming communities in the Anggana sub-district usually harvest dry corn every 2-3 months and resulting about 200-700 kg. However, there are a very limited number of corn shellers and corn grinders used by 14 farmer groups, and inefficient. To overcome this, a new machine is needed to peel and grind corn with the results of whole corn cobs. The goal is to simplify the work of the farmers, increase the productivity of corn flour production and save costs. The method used in this training by demonstrating how to peel and grind corn using a machine. The women farmer group participated in the training with enthusiasm and at the end of the activity they were able to use the corn sheller and grinder, correctly. The community service team also donated corn shellers and grinders to partners.

Collection, genotyping and virus elimination of cassava landraces from Tanzania and documentation of farmer knowledge

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) has been a vital staple and food security crop in Tanzania for several centuries, and it is likely that its resilience will play a key role in mitigating livelihood insecurities arising from climate change. The sector is dominated by smallholder farmers growing traditional landrace varieties. A recent surge in virus diseases and awareness in the commercial potential of cassava has prompted a drive to disseminate improved varieties in the country. These factors however also threaten the existence of landraces and associated farmer knowledge. It is important that the landraces are conserved and utilized as the adaptive gene complexes they harbor can drive breeding for improved varieties that meet agro-ecological adaptation as well as farmer and consumer needs, thereby improving adoption rates. Here we report on cassava germplasm collection missions and documentation of farmer knowledge in seven zones of Tanzania. A total of 277 unique landraces are identified through high-density genotyping. The large number of landraces is attributable to a mixed clonal/sexual reproductive system in which the soil seed bank and incorporation of seedlings plays an important role. A striking divergence in genetic relationships between the coastal regions and western regions is evident and explained by (i) independent introductions of cassava into the country, (ii) adaptation to prevailing agro-ecological conditions and (iii) farmer selections according to the intended use or market demands. The main uses of cassava with different product profiles are evident, including fresh consumption, flour production, dual purpose incorporating both these uses and longer-term food security. Each of these products have different trait requirements. Individual landraces were not widely distributed across the country with limited farmer-to-farmer diffusion with implications for seed systems.

Modernization of production is an effective mechanism for solving problems of agro-industrial complex

The goal is to address the issues of modernization and diversification in agricultural sector in order to increase the level of socio-economic development of the country. The article presents domestic and foreign experience of the States which implement these transformations in enterprises for the efficient use of production resources, reduction of labor costs, and increasing income. Objectives – to show that positive directions for expanding the scope of activities in production of products by increasing its range will optimize logistics costs, reduce dependence on supplies, which causes significant material and monetary costs, and gain independence from suppliers of necessary materials and raw materials. The results confirm that in agro-industrial complex, along with specialization, an objective necessity is diversified development, i.e. diversification and reconstruction. Agricultural enterprises in the North Kazakhstan region have experience related to this strategy. In the region, one can mention successful examples of organizing flour production on farms, which contributes to meeting the demand for flour-grinding products without intermediaries between producers and consumers, directly selling them to bakery enterprises, bakeries of the republic. The livestock complex of the NKR increases production of milk and its processing products butter, sour cream, cottage cheese, cheese, kefir and yogurt. The conclusions reflect that the processes of modernization and diversification in agro-industrial complex should be carried out simultaneously with deepening of the specialized focus of production, increase in interregional and industrial exchange, which is a powerful basis for the development of the national market and multi-structured economy.

Effect of X-ray irradiation on the F1 generation of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky and the germination rate of maize grain

Background The use of X-ray irradiation in the control of the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) infesting stored maize was tested at 60, 70 and 80 KeV as part of the international concerted efforts to save maize production and enhance food security. Investigations were done in the laboratory at mean temperature and relative humidity of 29.2 °C and 75.7%, respectively using three varieties of maize. The possibility that X-ray irradiation can affect the viability of maize grains when planted after weevil control process was also evaluated in the laboratory. Standard methods were used to achieve the specific objectives, and X-ray machine snap constituted the exposure time for each dose. Results The results revealed 10% mortality of adult weevils after 24 h and 40% mortality after a period of 7 days. The result indicates moderate effect on mortality. Progressive increase in mortality was recorded as dose increased from 60 to 80 KeV. X-ray irradiation at the doses tested did not significantly (P > 0.05) restrict S. zeamais emergence from maize grains and did not also significantly protect grains against damage and flour production. There was no difference in the pattern of daily emergence of new progenies and pattern of accumulated emergence. The relationship between X-ray irradiation doses and weight of emerging progenies require more specific analysis. Absence of significant difference between the viability of irradiated grains and un-irradiated grains strongly suggests that X-ray irradiation did not adversely affect seed viability, and this gives irradiation technique an opportunity of higher acceptability in agriculture. Conclusions We recommend > 80 KeV of X-ray irradiation or its incorporation into integrated pest management system in order to achieve effective post-harvest control of the pest.

Reaction kinetics of lactic acid fermentation from bitter cassava (Manihot glaziovii) starch by Lactobacillus casei

One of the utilizations of bitter cassava is modified cassava flour (Mocaf) production using the fermentation process by Lactobacillus casei. The Mocaf has potential as the future of food security products. It has a characteristic property similar to wheat flour. Lactic acid was also produced as a by‐product during fermentation. After 40 h of fermentation, the proximate composition content of Mocaf was lactic acid content of 0.000928 g/L, hydrogen cyanide levels of 0.02 ppm, starch content of 59.13%, amylose content of 12.98% and amylopectin content of 46.15%. In the scaling‐up process from a laboratory scale to a pilot and industrial scale, modeling is needed. There are five equation models used to describe the kinetic reactions of lactic acid from bitter cassava starch: Monod, Moser, Powell, Blackman, and Product Inhibitor. Each parameter was being searched by a fitting curve using sigmaplot 12.0. The best result in terms of the highest R2 (0.65913) was obtained in the Powell equation with the value of µmax of 1.668/h, Ks of 123.4 g/L, and maintenance rate (m) of 4.672. The kinetic data obtained can be used to design biochemical reactors for industrial scale Mocaf flour production.

A pilot plant scale of Yellow Konjac (Amorphophallus muelleri Blume) flour production by a centrifugal mill using response surface methodology

This study aimed at investigating the effects of polishing conditions on the physicochemical properties of polished yellow konjac flour (PYKF) with a centrifugal mill using Central Composite Design-Response Surface Methodology (CCD-RSM). Micro-mill milled yellow konjac flour (MMYKF) mass and polishing cycles were the independent variables, with four observed responses (calcium oxalate, viscosity, degree of whiteness (DoW), and glucomannan). The lower limit (-1) and upper limit (+1) for MMYKF mass in this study are 10 and 15 kg, respectively, while the -1 and +1 for the polishing cycle are three times, and seven times, respectively. The optimum prediction occurred at 10 kg of MMYKF mass and six times the polishing cycle with the following characteristics: 0.52 ±0.00% w.b. calcium oxalate, 20362.00 ±16.00 cP viscosity, 62.22 ±0.01 DoW, and 69.43 ±0.02% d.b. glucomannan content, which agreed with the verification data with p-value >0.05 for all observed responses using the paired T-test. Polishing using a centrifugal mill is feasible and promises to be scaled up to industrial scale for yellow konjac flour polishing before the wet extraction process.