Prevalence of aflatoxin- and fumonisin-producing fungi associated with cereal crops grown in Zimbabwe and their associated risks in a climate change scenario

In most sub-Saharan African countries, staple cereal grains harbor many fungi and some produce mycotoxins that negatively impact health and trade. Maize and three small grain cereals (sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet) produced by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe during 2016 and 2017 were exam...

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Autores principales: Akello, J., Ortega Beltran, A., Katati, B., Atehnkeng, J., Augusto, J., Mwila, C.M., Mahuku, George S., Chikoye, David, Bandyopadhyay, R.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: MDPI 2021
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/113896
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author Akello, J.
Ortega Beltran, A.
Katati, B.
Atehnkeng, J.
Augusto, J.
Mwila, C.M.
Mahuku, George S.
Chikoye, David
Bandyopadhyay, R.
author_browse Akello, J.
Atehnkeng, J.
Augusto, J.
Bandyopadhyay, R.
Chikoye, David
Katati, B.
Mahuku, George S.
Mwila, C.M.
Ortega Beltran, A.
author_facet Akello, J.
Ortega Beltran, A.
Katati, B.
Atehnkeng, J.
Augusto, J.
Mwila, C.M.
Mahuku, George S.
Chikoye, David
Bandyopadhyay, R.
author_sort Akello, J.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description In most sub-Saharan African countries, staple cereal grains harbor many fungi and some produce mycotoxins that negatively impact health and trade. Maize and three small grain cereals (sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet) produced by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe during 2016 and 2017 were examined for fungal community structure, and total aflatoxin (AF) and fumonisin (FM) content. A total of 800 maize and 180 small grain samples were collected at harvest and during storage from four agroecological zones. Fusarium spp. dominated the fungi associated with maize. Across crops, Aspergillusflavus constituted the main Aspergillus spp. Small grain cereals were less susceptible to both AF and FM. AF (52%) and FM (89%) prevalence was higher in maize than in small grains (13–25% for AF and 0–32% for FM). Less than 2% of small grain samples exceeded the EU regulatory limit for AF (4 µg/kg), while <10% exceeded the EU regulatory limit for FM (1000 µg/kg). For maize, 28% and 54% of samples exceeded AF and FM Codex guidance limits, respectively. Higher AF contamination occurred in the drier and hotter areas while more FM occurred in the wetter year. AF exposure risk assessment revealed that small grain consumption posed low health risks (≤0.02 liver cancer cases/100,000 persons/year) while maize consumption potentially caused higher liver cancer rates of up to 9.2 cases/100,000 persons/year depending on the locality. Additionally, FM hazard quotients from maize consumption among children and adults were high in both years, but more so in a wet year than a dry year. Adoption of AF and FM management practices throughout the maize value chain coupled with policies supporting dietary diversification are needed to protect maize consumers in Zimbabwe from AF- and FM-associated health effects. The higher risk of health burden from diseases associated with elevated concentration of mycotoxins in preferred maize during climate change events can be relieved by increased consumption of small grains.
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spelling CGSpace1138962025-11-11T11:05:40Z Prevalence of aflatoxin- and fumonisin-producing fungi associated with cereal crops grown in Zimbabwe and their associated risks in a climate change scenario Akello, J. Ortega Beltran, A. Katati, B. Atehnkeng, J. Augusto, J. Mwila, C.M. Mahuku, George S. Chikoye, David Bandyopadhyay, R. climate change maize food security food safety cereals mycotoxins risk assessment aflatoxins In most sub-Saharan African countries, staple cereal grains harbor many fungi and some produce mycotoxins that negatively impact health and trade. Maize and three small grain cereals (sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet) produced by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe during 2016 and 2017 were examined for fungal community structure, and total aflatoxin (AF) and fumonisin (FM) content. A total of 800 maize and 180 small grain samples were collected at harvest and during storage from four agroecological zones. Fusarium spp. dominated the fungi associated with maize. Across crops, Aspergillusflavus constituted the main Aspergillus spp. Small grain cereals were less susceptible to both AF and FM. AF (52%) and FM (89%) prevalence was higher in maize than in small grains (13–25% for AF and 0–32% for FM). Less than 2% of small grain samples exceeded the EU regulatory limit for AF (4 µg/kg), while <10% exceeded the EU regulatory limit for FM (1000 µg/kg). For maize, 28% and 54% of samples exceeded AF and FM Codex guidance limits, respectively. Higher AF contamination occurred in the drier and hotter areas while more FM occurred in the wetter year. AF exposure risk assessment revealed that small grain consumption posed low health risks (≤0.02 liver cancer cases/100,000 persons/year) while maize consumption potentially caused higher liver cancer rates of up to 9.2 cases/100,000 persons/year depending on the locality. Additionally, FM hazard quotients from maize consumption among children and adults were high in both years, but more so in a wet year than a dry year. Adoption of AF and FM management practices throughout the maize value chain coupled with policies supporting dietary diversification are needed to protect maize consumers in Zimbabwe from AF- and FM-associated health effects. The higher risk of health burden from diseases associated with elevated concentration of mycotoxins in preferred maize during climate change events can be relieved by increased consumption of small grains. 2021 2021-06-08T15:09:51Z 2021-06-08T15:09:51Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/113896 en Open Access application/pdf MDPI Akello, J., Ortega-Beltran, A., Katati, B., Atehnkeng, J., Augusto, J., Mwila, C.M., ... & Bandyopadhyay, R. (2021). Prevalence of aflatoxin-and fumonisin-producing fungi associated with cereal crops grown in Zimbabwe and their associated risks in a climate change scenario. Foods, 10(2), 287: 1-18.
spellingShingle climate change
maize
food security
food safety
cereals
mycotoxins
risk assessment
aflatoxins
Akello, J.
Ortega Beltran, A.
Katati, B.
Atehnkeng, J.
Augusto, J.
Mwila, C.M.
Mahuku, George S.
Chikoye, David
Bandyopadhyay, R.
Prevalence of aflatoxin- and fumonisin-producing fungi associated with cereal crops grown in Zimbabwe and their associated risks in a climate change scenario
title Prevalence of aflatoxin- and fumonisin-producing fungi associated with cereal crops grown in Zimbabwe and their associated risks in a climate change scenario
title_full Prevalence of aflatoxin- and fumonisin-producing fungi associated with cereal crops grown in Zimbabwe and their associated risks in a climate change scenario
title_fullStr Prevalence of aflatoxin- and fumonisin-producing fungi associated with cereal crops grown in Zimbabwe and their associated risks in a climate change scenario
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of aflatoxin- and fumonisin-producing fungi associated with cereal crops grown in Zimbabwe and their associated risks in a climate change scenario
title_short Prevalence of aflatoxin- and fumonisin-producing fungi associated with cereal crops grown in Zimbabwe and their associated risks in a climate change scenario
title_sort prevalence of aflatoxin and fumonisin producing fungi associated with cereal crops grown in zimbabwe and their associated risks in a climate change scenario
topic climate change
maize
food security
food safety
cereals
mycotoxins
risk assessment
aflatoxins
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/113896
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