Mycotoxigenic fungi contamination of grains and peanuts from open markets in Kelantan, Malaysia

The warm weather and high relative humidity in Malaysia are ideal for the survival and proliferation of mycotoxigenic fungi leading to a high rate of stored product contamination. This study was conducted to enumerate and characterise the mycotoxigenic fungi associated with commonly consumed food grains in Kelantan, Malaysia. The fungal bioburden and fungal identification from forty-four composite food samples comprising 11 samples each of maize, wheat, rice, and peanuts from open markets in Kelantan, Malaysia, were determined using standard mycological techniques. A total of 115 mould fungal isolates belonging to 12 species were isolated, of which Aspergillus flavus (17.39%), A. versicolor (13.04%), A. felis (12.17%), Neoscytalidium dimidiatum (11.3%), Penicillium cheresanum (11.3%) and P. chrysogenum (8.7%), were predominant. Peanuts were the most contaminated (9.7×105 ± 1.5×105 CFU/g) followed by maize (7.5×105 ± 1.8×106 CFU/g), wheat (1.9×105 ± 2.6×105 CFU/g), and rice (9.9×104 ± 1.5×105 CFU/g). The levels of the mycotoxigenic fungi in peanut, maize, and wheat were above the permissible limit of 102 CFU/g set by the Malaysian Ministry of Health and 102 to 105 CFU/g set by the International Commission for Microbiological Specification for Foods, signifying that they are unsafe for use as food or feed ingredients. Hence, there is a need for more stringent control measures.

Benefits of key Asia-Pacific trade pact will be uneven

Significance RCEP, which involves the ten ASEAN states and five of the bloc’s Asia-Pacific partners, will be the world’s largest free trade agreement (FTA), covering more than half its exports and almost one-third of its GDP. Impacts RCEP should help drive economic recovery in South-east Asia in the short term as the region tries to manage a COVID-19 resurgence. Western states will benefit from RCEP commitments to maintaining open markets and supporting the global trading regime. A failure by members to formulate a unified response to climate change could lead to punitive trade measures from external players.

Potential health risks of trace metals in muscle tissue of tilapia and catfish from Mozambican markets

Due to the toxicity of trace metals and the propensity of fishes to bioaccumulate metals in their tissues, we investigated the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and zinc (Zn) in the muscles of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodidatatus) collected from open markets in Mozambique. Fe and Hg were the most and least bioaccumulated metals in the fishes, respectively. One-way ANOVA showed significant differences between sites for the analytes. Furthermore, we estimated the possible health risks (estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and maximum allowable consumption rate (CRlim)) associated with fish consumption. The concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb exceeded the recommended maximum permissible limits (MPL) in fish samples, ranging between 5.65 – 12.7, 1.05 – 12.9, and 1.88 – 6.45 mgkg-1, respectively, whereas values lower than MPL viz. 5.25 – 18.9, ND – 0.033, and 30.8 – 52.3 mgkg-1 were observed for Cu, Hg, and Zn, respectively. Similarly, the EDI (mgkg-1day-1) were below the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) with decreasing order: Fe >Zn >Cu >As >Cd >Pb>Hg. However, the THQ (mg kg-1) was slightly > 1 for As and Cd in some samples. Moreover, the CRlim (kg day-1) showed a decreasing order of Hg >Fe >Zn >Pb> Cu >Cd >As. Generally, consumers are susceptible to health hazards associated with As and Cd. Hence, regular toxicological monitoring of the fishes from the study area is imperative.

Postharvest Losses of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) in the Open Markets in Ibadan Metropolis

Postharvest losses of tomato pose serious threat on the economic viability of actors in the tomato production chain in Nigeria. Therefore, postharvest losses of tomato among marketers in Ibadan Metropolis of Oyo State Nigeria were investigated by the researchers. One hundred and twenty tomato marketers were chosen from the five food markets in Ibadan metropolis through a simple random sampling technique. The study adopted linear regression and descriptive statistics to analyze data. The outcomes of the investigation show that females were 92.5% and 88.3% were married. Capital is primarily raised through cooperative societies (57.5%). Postharvest losses of tomato accounted for 18.9% of purchase which represents ₦124,800/day. The major causes of PHLs are poor packaging (100%) and poor storage (100%) by the tomato marketers. Meanwhile, all the respondents (100%) adopted sorting to reduce PHLs of tomato. The regression analysis showed that education has a significant effect to reduce PHLs of tomato. The study concluded that huge postharvest and monetary losses of tomato are experienced by the tomato marketers. The study recommends provision of quality postharvest handling education to tomato marketers as a way of reducing PHLs of tomato in Ibadan.

Evaluation of the Chemical Quality of Milk Powder Sold in Open Markets in Aba, Abia Atate, Nigeria

Background: Cow's milk is frequently recognized as the most nearly perfect nourishment for humans [1]. On the one hand, its tremendous nutritional value could affect human health [2]. Milk, on the other hand, is an ideal microbial culture medium [3] and is easily contaminated [1]. Milk quality and safety are commonly causes of anxiety because milk quality can be compromised during processing, shipping, storage, and marketing [4], particularly in underdeveloped nations with ineffective quality monitoring. Furthermore, uniformed traders expose milk to adverse environmental conditions due to ignorance. Objective: This study investigated some chemical parameters of milk powder sold in Aba market. Materials and Methods: A total of six (6) brands of milk powder, namely: Peak, Three Crown, Loyal, Cow Bell, Jago, and Dano milk, packaged in affordable sachets, were purchased from the new market (Abia Ohuru) in Aba town, Abia State. The samples were emptied from the sachet into sterile plastic containers, coded, sealed and transported to the laboratory immediately for analysis. Proximate, mineral, and vitamin compositions were determined using standard methods. ANOVA was used to separate the means and a significant difference was judged at p<0.05. Results: The obtained values for almost all parameters were not significantly different (p) among the samples examined. However, the obtained values were slightly lower than the values written on the labels. The obtained values and the values on the labels were not significantly different from the CODEX Alimentarius and NFDAC set standards for milk powder, except for vitamin A values for almost all the samples. Conclusion: The quality of milk powder sold in the Aba market can be considered to be good enough for human consumption, although slight quality degradation was found in protein, carbohydrates, fat, and especially in the vitamin A and B content of the samples. Exposure to harsh conditions during storage and retailing processes could be a possible reason. Recommendations: Strict and legal measures should be adopted to ensure that the quality and safety of milk in the open markets is preserved.

Variations in phenotypic characteristics of Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp. seeds sourced from open markets in Benin City, Nigeria.

Vigna unguiculata, also known as a 'cowpea,' is a crop of numerous varieties. In Benin City, Nigeria, three common varieties include "Ife Brown", "Ekpoma Local", and "Sokoto White". Being a very common delicacy and perhaps a very cheap source of protein for the populous, it is sold in nearly all available open markets. The crop is mainly consigned from the numerous farms in the northern part of the country and thus vary amenable to genetic diversity. This study was undertaken to investigate whether there were any major differences within and between these varieties when sourced from different locations in selected markets in Benin City. The seeds were obtained from major open store markets in and around Benin City, Edo State, and were morphologically characterized quantitatively and qualitatively using standard descriptors. Seed length, width, thickness, weight, and volume were among the quantitative parameters, while the qualitative parameters included seed brilliance, shape, eye colour, eye pattern, splitting of testa, testa texture, basal colour, pattern of variegation, colour of variegation, and basal colour of variegated seeds. There were no variations in the qualitative parameters among the seeds of "Ekpoma Local" and "Sokoto White" varieties; however those of the "Ife Brown" variety were significant variable in seed colour. Significant variations existed in the seed quantitative parameters. Among seed parameters measured, seed volume was more diverse, with a coefficient of variation of 13.15 - 14.14, when compared with coefficients of variation for other quantitative parameters measured. In terms of seed volume therefore, the "Sokoto White" variety appeared to be more diverse than "Ekpoma Local" and then "Ife Brown" in that order. In terms of overall variation, group mean sum of squares for the "Ife Brown" variety was 146.95, compared to 26.18 and 31.23 for "Ekpoma Local" and "Sokoto White" respectively, indicating that the "Ife Brown" variety was the most likely variable species among the three in the Markets of Benin City.

Serbian, Croatian and Spanish consumers' beliefs towards artisan cheese

PurposeIn the past two decades the popularity of artisan cheese emerged. The present study aimed to investigate similarities and differences in beliefs towards artisan cheeses among participants from Serbia, Croatia and Spain and to determine consumer profiles. Better understanding of their behaviours and beliefs could serve as the basis for the development of appropriate production and marketing strategies and for further popularisation of artisan cheeses.Design/methodology/approachThe data on demographic structure, behaviours and beliefs of 947 participants in total were obtained via a questionnaire collected online. In order to identify consumer profiles and to define their specific beliefs, a cross-country cluster analysis has been conducted. Four clusters were identified: “highly educated men”, “highly educated women”, “millennials” and “educated senior women”. Mann–Whitney U test was used to identify statistically significant differences between countries and clusters.FindingsRespondents from different countries had different preferences for cheese types and different ways of consumption. All participants valued artisan cheeses more than industrial cheeses in terms of healthiness and quality, but they believe that there is still much to be done in terms of proper packaging, labelling, branding, widening of assortment and providing better availability. The results of the present study revealed that participants had no clear opinion regarding trust in artisan cheese safety.Originality/valueUp to date, no study investigated beliefs of consumers from Serbia and Croatia towards artisan cheese. Original consumer pool has unique characteristics: they are far more oriented towards open markets and purchasing cheese directly from producers; they have different preferences towards cheese types and different consuming habits. Unique consumer characteristics provided original findings considering their beliefs.

INCIDENCE OF TOXIGENIC MOULDS IN FOOD SPICES SOLD IN OPEN MARKETS IN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

Spices are parts of plants or plant substances primarily used for flavouring and preservation of food. Spices can be exposed to microbial contamination and toxic substances such as mycotoxins during processing storage and distribution. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of toxigenic moulds in food spices sold in open markets in Benin City. A total of 35 samples were obtained from three markets. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) and Aspergillus flavus and parasiticus agar (AFPA) were employed for the isolation, characterization and identification of fungal isolates using standard microbiological procedures. The pH was determined using an electronic pH meter, titratable acidity and moisture content were also determined using appropriate methods. Fungi isolated in this study included; Fusarium sp., Alternaria sp., Rhizopus sp., Geotrichum sp., Cladosporium sp., Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp. The most occurring fungus was Fusarium sp. (26%) while Alternaria sp. (2%) was the least occurring fungus. The fungal load ranged from 0.33 - 28.67 x 103 sfu/g and the pH values of samples ranged from 4.83 – 5.67. The titratable acidity ranged from 0.037 – 0.521 mg/l, while the moisture content ranged from 2.0 – 28.0%. The study revealed the presence of toxigenic moulds such as Fusarium and Penicillium species in food spices sold in open markets. This may have resulted from improper storage, handling and poor sanitary conditions in the open markets.

ASPECTOS DA COMERCIALIZAÇÃO DE PESCADO NA FEIRA MUNICIPAL DE CORURIPE – ALAGOAS

ASPECTS OF FISH COMMERCIALIZATION IN THE MUNICIPAL FAIR OF CORURIPE – ALAGOASASPECTOS DE LA COMERCIALIZACIÓN DEL PESCADO EN LA FERIA MUNICIPAL DE CORURIPE – ALAGOASRESUMOA comercialização de pescados nos pequenos municípios da região Nordeste está historicamente associada às feiras livres. Nesse cenário, o presente trabalho objetivou caracterizar a comercialização de pescados na feira livre de Coruripe (AL) por meio de visitas de campos e questionários semiestruturados que avaliaram os feirantes, os produtos comercializados e os aspectos higiênico-sanitários dos postos de venda. De um total de 1.152 boxes disponíveis na feira, foram contabilizados 70 ocupados pela venda de pescados. Os dados indicaram que os comerciantes apresentam, em sua maioria, o seguinte perfil: são mulheres, têm idade entre 40 e 59 anos, possuem baixa escolaridade, trabalham na atividade há mais de 20 anos e têm na feira sua principal fonte de renda. A partir das entrevistas, evidenciou-se que a ocupação de feirante está intrinsecamente vinculada com a cultura das comunidades pesqueiras locais. Quanto ao comércio, uma ampla variedade de espécies, sobretudo marinhas, é negociada (peixes, crustáceos, moluscos). A conservação do pescado é simples, geralmente com gelo, e o beneficiamento é realizado no momento da compra.Palavras-chave: Feiras Livres; Pesca Artesanal; Cadeia Produtiva do Pescado.ABSTRACTThe sale of fish in small municipalities in the Northeast region is historically associated with open markets. In this scenario, the present work aimed to characterize the commercialization of fish in the open market in Coruripe (AL) through field visits and semi-structured questionnaires that evaluated the marketers, the products sold, and the hygienic-sanitary aspects of the points of sale. From a total of 1,152 boxes available at the fair, 70 were occupied by the sale of fish. The data indicated that most merchants have the following profile: they are women, aged between 40 and 59 years, have low education, work in the activity for over 20 years, and have their main source of income at the fair. Based on the interviews, it became clear that the occupation of market stalls is intrinsically linked to the culture of local fishing communities. As for trade, a wide variety of species, especially marine ones, are traded (fish, crustaceans, mollusks). Fish conservation is simple, usually with ice, and processing is carried out at the time of purchase.Keywords: Free Fairs; Artisanal Fishing; Fish Production Chain.RESUMENLa comercialización de pescado en los pequeños pueblos de la región Nordeste se basa históricamente en los mercados libres. En este escenario, el presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo caracterizar la comercialización de pescado en el mercado libre de Coruripe (AL) a través de visitas de campo y cuestionarios semiestructurados que evaluaban a los comercializadores, los productos vendidos y los aspectos higiénico-sanitarios de los puntos de venta. De un total de 1.152 cajas disponibles en la feria, 70 fueron ocupadas por la venta de pescado. Los datos indicaron que la mayoría de comerciantes tienen el siguiente perfil: son mujeres, tienen entre 40 y 59 años, tienen baja educación, trabajan en la actividad desde hace más de 20 años y tienen su principal fuente de ingresos en la feria. A partir de las entrevistas, quedó claro que la ocupación de puestos de mercado está intrínsecamente vinculada a la cultura de las comunidades pesqueras locales. En cuanto al comercio, se comercializan una amplia variedad de especies, especialmente marinas (peces, crustáceos, moluscos). La conservación del pescado es sencilla, generalmente con hielo, y el procesamiento se realiza en el momento de la compra.Palabras clave: Ferias Gratuitas; Pesca Artesanal; Cadena de Producción Pesquera.

Investigation of heavy metal levels of clams (Egeria radiata) sold in open markets in Port Harcourt and Yenagoa, Nigeria

Due to rapid urbanization, increase in coastal population, oil and gas exploration and other array of anthropogenic activities within the Niger Delta region of which Rivers and Bayelsa states are prominent amongst others, the region has been faced with coastal water pollution. There is need therefore, to evaluate the intensity of environmental contamination of the aquatic ecosystem in this region, thus this study was conducted to investigate the heavy metal levels of Clams (Egeria radiata) sold in open markets in Port Harcourt (Rivers State) and Yenagoa (Bayelsa State). Samples were collected from three markets in Port Harcourt (Mile 1, Rumuokoro and Mile 3), and three markets as well in Yenagoa (Opolo, Swali and Tombia) respectively. The samples were collected bi-weekly for 3 months and transported to the laboratory for analysis of heavy metals (Cr, Cd and Pb) levels using standard scientific method of analysis. The analysis was done in triplicates for each sample and data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using excel spreadsheet and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21. The results revealed that samples collected from markets in Port Harcourt had higher concentrations of heavy metal than that of Yenagoa, though, the heavy metal levels were below World Health Organisation permissible limits, except for Cadmium (Cd) that ranged from 0.54±0.002 to 0.78±0.00 mg/kg in samples collected from Port Harcourt, against 0.5 mg/kg recommended by WHO. This could be attributed to oil and gas exploration, and discharges of industrial and domestic wastes bearing cadmium, and poses serious health risks. Therefore, routine monitoring and assessment of the aquatic ecosystem will be vital to forestall further contamination.