Dietary Risk Assessment and Consumer Awareness of Mycotoxins among Household Consumers of Cereals, Nuts and Legumes in North-Central Nigeria

This study characterized the health risks due to the consumption of mycotoxin-contaminated foods and assessed the consumer awareness level of mycotoxins in households in two north-central Nigerian states during the harvest and storage seasons of 2018. Twenty-six mycotoxins and 121 other microbial and plant metabolites were quantified by LC-MS/MS in 250 samples of cereals, nuts and legumes. Aflatoxins were detected in all food types (cowpea, maize, peanut and sorghum) except in millet. Aflatoxin B1 was the most prevalent mycotoxin in peanut (64%) and rice (57%), while fumonisin B1 occurred most in maize (93%) and beauvericin in sorghum (71%). The total aflatoxin concentration was highest in peanut (max: 8422 µg/kg; mean: 1281 µg/kg) and rice (max: 955 µg/kg; mean: 94 µg/kg), whereas the totals of the B-type fumonisins and citrinin were highest in maize (max: 68,204 µg/kg; mean: 2988 µg/kg) and sorghum (max: 1335 µg/kg; mean: 186 µg/kg), respectively. Citrinin levels also reached 51,195 µg/kg (mean: 2343 µg/kg) in maize. Aflatoxin and citrinin concentrations in maize were significantly (p < 0.05) higher during storage than at harvest. The estimated chronic exposures to aflatoxins, citrinin and fumonisins were high, resulting in as much as 247 new liver cancer cases/year/100,000 population and risks of nephrotoxicity and esophageal cancer, respectively. Children who consumed the foods were the most vulnerable. Mycotoxin co-occurrence was evident, which could increase the health risk of the outcomes. Awareness of mycotoxin issues was generally low among the households.

Fungi carried over in jute bags – a smoking gun for aflatoxin contamination in the food supply chain

India is the largest jute and fifth largest maize producing country in the world. In India maize is commonly stored and transported in jute bags which are used multiple times. Aflatoxin contamination of maize is a major issue in India. This study evaluated the potential impact of re-using jute bags on the risk of aflatoxin contamination of maize in the food supply chain. A total of 121 jute bags were collected in India; 95 had been used for maize and 26 bags were new. Significantly higher numbers of viable aflatoxigenic fungi were counted from re-used bags (27.8 times) (P<0.05), than the number from new bags. There was no significant difference between aflatoxin concentration found in the re-used jute bags and the new jute bags (P>0.05). Further analysis revealed that the aflatoxigenic fungal population (3.0 times) and aflatoxin concentration (1.2 times) were significantly higher in jute bags that had been used for maize with higher aflatoxin contamination (14-188.4 μg/kg total aflatoxins) than in those that had been used for maize with lower contamination (0.8-5.4 μg/kg total aflatoxins) (P<0.05). The significant positive correlation (P<0.05) between the aflatoxigenic fungal population of used jute bags and aflatoxin contamination of their packed maize indicated there is a risk of cross-contamination in the supply chain introduced by re-using jute bags. This is the first study to systematically reveal the potential impact of re-using jute bags on the fungal population and aflatoxin contamination risk. The application of readily applied treatments to re-used jute bags would help to minimise the aflatoxin contamination.

The Scourge of Aflatoxins in Kenya: A 60-Year Review (1960 to 2020)

Aflatoxins are endemic in Kenya. The 2004 outbreak of acute aflatoxicosis in the country was one of the unprecedented epidemics of human aflatoxin poisoning recorded in mycotoxin history. In this study, an elaborate review was performed to synthesize Kenya’s major findings in relation to aflatoxins, their prevalence, detection, quantification, exposure assessment, prevention, and management in various matrices. Data retrieved indicate that the toxins are primarily biosynthesized by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, with the eastern part of the country reportedly more aflatoxin-prone. Aflatoxins have been reported in maize and maize products (Busaa, chan’gaa, githeri, irio, muthokoi, uji, and ugali), peanuts and its products, rice, cassava, sorghum, millet, yams, beers, dried fish, animal feeds, dairy and herbal products, and sometimes in tandem with other mycotoxins. The highest total aflatoxin concentration of 58,000 μg/kg has been reported in maize. At least 500 acute human illnesses and 200 deaths due to aflatoxins have been reported. The causes and prevalence of aflatoxins have been grossly ascribed to poor agronomic practices, low education levels, and inadequate statutory regulation and sensitization. Low diet diversity has aggravated exposure to aflatoxins in Kenya because maize as a dietetic staple is aflatoxin-prone. Detection and surveillance are only barely adequate, though some exposure assessments have been conducted. There is a need to widen diet diversity as a measure of reducing exposure due to consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated foods.

Influence of Plant Population and Harvest Date on Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Yield and Aflatoxin Contamination

Establishing the optimum plant population and harvesting at optimum pod maturity are important in maximizing yield of peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.). The interaction of these two practices have not been documented in Malawi with respect to both yield and aflatoxin contamination in peanut. Research was conducted in Malawi at Mpatsanjoka farm in Salima district during the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 growing cycles to determine interactions of plant population and harvest date on peanut yield and aflatoxin concentration in peanut at harvest with the cultivar CG7. Peanut was seeded in raised beds spaced 75-cm apart with three different planting patterns to establish three final plant populations. A single row planting pattern consisted of one row of peanut on each center with seed spaced 15-cm apart was used to plant seed at a density of 89,000 seed/ha (referred to as the low plant seeding rate). A twin row planting pattern included two rows of peanut spaced at 25 cm apart with 15 cm between seeds was used to plant seed at a density of 178,000 seed/ha (referred to as the medium plant population). A triple row planting pattern consisted of three rows of peanut spaced 25 cm apart with 7 cm between seeds was used to plant seed at a density of 278,000 seed/ha (referred to as the high density). Peanut for seeding density was dug 10 days before physiological maturity of pods, at physiological maturity, and at 4 and 6 weeks after physiological maturity. Pod yield increased as seeding rate and subsequent plant population increased but decreased as harvesting was delayed past physiological maturity. Yield of peanut with the highest plant population exceeded that of low and medium populations; yield of the medium plant population was greater that the low population in one of two years. Aflatoxin concentration at harvest was not affected by plant population but increased as harvest was delayed past physiological maturity. Harvesting peanut 10 d prior to physiological maturity did not affect grain yield or aflatoxin contamination compared with harvesting at optimum maturity.

Hermetic Storage of Shelled Peanut Using the Purdue Improved Crop Storage Bags

Low oxygen or hermetic storage has been successfully used to store several commodities such as corn (Zea mays L.), cowpea (Vigna Savi), cocoa (Theobroma cocao), and coffee (Coffea L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.). However, previous research using hermetic storage for peanut or groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) has had mixed results. Research was conducted to determine the effect on aflatoxin contamination, seed germination, and oil chemistry of shelled peanut hermetically stored in the Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags for up to 12 months. A 2 x 4 factorial study included 1) normal and high oleic peanut, 2) two initial moisture contents by four storage treatments. The four storage treatments were 1) burlap bags as the control, 2) PICS bags, 3) PICS bags with air extracted by vacuum, and 4) PICS bags with sachets of chlorine dioxide (ClO 2 ) dry fumigant added. There were three replications of each treatment combination. Peanut was stored in an area maintained at a temperature above 21C. The initial seed germination of the normal oleic and high oleic peanuts was 77 and 80%, respectively. Initial aflatoxin concentration in all peanut was less than 2 µg/kg . Bags were opened, sampled, and resealed at 60, 159, 249, and 301 d of storage. Approximately half of the 12 burlap bags suffered significant rodent damage, and all had significant infestation by Indian meal moth ( Plodia interpunctella ). Only 4 PICS bags had rodent damage with damage limited to the outer polypropylene bag. There were no live insects in the PICS bags. Seed germination decreased for all samples to an average of 6.3%. Peanut stored in the burlap bags had an average germination of 19.2% compared to 2.1% for peanut stored in PICS bags. The aflatoxin concentration in one of the burlap bags with normal oleic peanuts was 75 µg/kg, and one of the PICS bags with high oleic peanuts had an aflatoxin concentration of 12 µg/kg. The remaining samples had aflatoxin below the detectable limit of 2 µg/kg.

Effect of Moringa leave Marinade on aflatoxin in fresh and smoked African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of Moringa leaves Marinade (MOM) on aflatoxin contamination of Clarias gariepinus. A total of thirty fresh fish samples (n = 30) grouped into four; Fresh fish without smoking and storage, smoked fish +1% and 2% Moringa oleifera Marinade (MOM) respectively and Control (0% MOM) were subjected to microbiological and HPLC analysis while storing for 0-3 months. Mean CFU/g of 2.8 and 3.1 x 102 CFU/g for bacteria and fungi were recovered, respectively. Furthermore, four bacteria and fungi genera each of which Aspergillus spp. was the most predominant (57%) were recovered from the fishes. Aflatoxin concentration increased progressively in 0% MOM smoked fish as the storage period increased, while aflatoxin concentration reduced in the fishes treated with 2% MOM (p≥0.05). On average, between 1-40% reduction in aflatoxin concentration and increased keeping quality was enhanced with 2% MOM treatment. These findings recommend the possibility of the use of moringa leaves in the treatment of commercially smoked fish.

Monitoring the Presence and Investigation of Toxigenic Fungi and Mycotoxins in Poultry Feed and its Products

Contaminating poultry feed and their products with mycotoxins produced by fungi may cause many health effects on animals and human if they were at high concentrations. Therefore, it is imperative to regularly monitor the concentration of mycotoxins specially aflatoxin and ochratoxin A in the poultry feed and their products. In the present study, we demonstrated that Aspergillus flavus was the major contaminant using DNA extraction and gel electrophoresis. Using ELISA kit for ochratoxin A, Ochratoxin A did not exceed the detection limit 50 ng/kg but in one sample has exceeded the European Union maximum limit for aflatoxins of 20 μg/kg through the ELISA aflatoxin All kit. Aflatoxin B1 was detected in chicken liver samples using ELISA aflatoxin B1. Almost all samples were contaminated with fungi but only 4 feed samples showed aflatoxin concentration within the detection limit. Furthere experiments should be done on different liver samples in Qatar to chek the probability of this presence.

Evaluation of Agricultural Practices to Increase Yield and Financial Return and Minimize Aflatoxin Contamination in Peanut in Northern Ghana

ABSTRACT Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yield and financial returns are often low for smallholder farmers in Ghana. Additionally, aflatoxin concentration in foods derived from peanut can be high enough to adversely affect human health. Eight experiments were conducted in 2016 and 2017 in northern Ghana to compare yield, financial returns, pest reaction, and aflatoxin contamination at harvest with traditional farmer versus improved practices. Relative to the farmer practice, the improved practice consisted of weeding one extra time, applying local potassium-based soaps to suppress arthropods and pathogens, and application of either homogenized oyster shells or a commercial blend of fertilizer containing calcium. Each of these field treatments were followed by either drying peanut on the soil surface and storing in traditional poly bags or drying peanut on tarps and storing in hermetically-sealed bags for 4 months. Peanut yield and financial returns were significantly greater when a commercial blend of fertilizer or oyster shells were applied compared to the farmer practice of not applying any fertilizer. Yield and financial returns were greater when a commercial fertilizer blend was applied compared with oyster shells. Severity of early leaf spot [caused by Passalora arachidicola (Hori) U. Braun] and late leaf spot [caused by Nothopassalora personata (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) U. Braun, C. Nakash., Videira & Crous], scarring and penetration of pods by arthropods, and the number of arthropods at harvest were higher for the farmer practice than for either fertility treatment; no difference was noted when comparing across fertility treatments. Less aflatoxin was observed for both improved practices in the field compared with the farmer practice. Drying peanut on tarps resulted in less aflatoxin compared to drying peanut on the ground regardless of treatments in the field. Aflatoxin concentration after storage was similar when comparing post-harvest treatments of drying on soil surface and storing in poly bags vs. drying on tarps and storing in hermetically-sealed bags. These results demonstrate that substantial financial gain can be realized when management in the field is increased compared with the traditional farmer practice. While aflatoxin concentrations differed between the farmer practice and the improved practices at harvest and after drying, these differences did not translate into differences after storage.