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Ntsoli PG, Boat Bedine MA, Baleba CC, Tchatcho Ngalle SF, Djoko Kouam I, Titti RW, Etame Kossi GM, Yaouba A. Postharvest Practices, Perceptions, and Knowledge of Mycotoxins among Groundnut Farmers in the Adamawa, Centre, and North Regions of Cameroon. SCIENTIFICA 2024; 2024:5596036. [PMID: 38605977 PMCID: PMC11008978 DOI: 10.1155/2024/5596036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
In many parts of the world, including Cameroon, mycotoxin contamination of groundnuts remains a major constraint affecting their use as food. Understanding the contributing factors is an essential intervention to reduce contamination and people's exposure to these harmful toxins. The aim of this research was to identify the factors associated with the knowledge, perceptions, and postharvest practices of groundnut farmers in three production basins in Cameroon. Data were collected through surveys and analyzed using descriptive methods and logistic regression models. The results show that groundnut farmers are little aware of the existence of mycotoxins (12%) and totally unaware of the existence of aflatoxins (100%). Only 7.1% of these farmers are aware of the effects of mycotoxins on consumer health. After evaluation, the large majority of farmers scored poor marks for knowledge (86%) and practice (98.7%) in the management of mould and mycotoxins in groundnuts. Knowledge of mycotoxins was positively associated with the level of education [OR = 3.42; (95%-IC: 1.00-16.00); p < 0.05] and region [OR = 4.49; (95%-IC: 1.09-20.3); p < 0.05]. Farmers' good practices were linked to their production experience [OR = 6.06, (95% CI: 0.91-18.4), p = 0.035]. The use of mouldy groundnut for feed was associated with age [OR = 3.34, (95% CI: 1.14-10.2), p = 0.03], sex [OR = 0. 43, (IC-95%: 1.14-1.05), p = 0.026], marital status [OR = 0.35, (IC-95%: 0.14-0.79), p = 0.015], and production region [OR = 0.27, (IC-95%: 0.13-0.56)]. In conclusion, groundnut farmers had insufficient knowledge of mycotoxins, no knowledge of aflatoxins, and suboptimal handling and storage practices for this commodity. This contributes to increasing the risk of exposure for the population and requires mitigation measures, including awareness campaigns on mycotoxins, specifically aflatoxins, and capacity building for farmers in terms of storage and postharvest management of foodstuffs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Germain Ntsoli
- Phytopathology and Agricultural Zoology Research Unit, Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Marie Ampères Boat Bedine
- Phytopathology and Agricultural Zoology Research Unit, Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Cynthia Claire Baleba
- Phytopathology and Agricultural Zoology Research Unit, Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon
- Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Wakwa, P.O. Box 65, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
| | - Steve Freddy Tchatcho Ngalle
- Phytopathology and Agricultural Zoology Research Unit, Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Idriss Djoko Kouam
- Phytopathology and Agricultural Zoology Research Unit, Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Roland Wilfried Titti
- Phytopathology and Agricultural Zoology Research Unit, Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Georges Marius Etame Kossi
- Genetics, Biotechnology, Agriculture and Plant Production Research Unit, Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Aoudou Yaouba
- Phytopathology and Agricultural Zoology Research Unit, Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon
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Mesfin A, Lachat C, Gebreyesus SH, Roro M, Tesfamariam K, Belachew T, De Boevre M, De Saeger S. Mycotoxins Exposure of Lactating Women and Its Relationship with Dietary and Pre/Post-Harvest Practices in Rural Ethiopia. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15040285. [PMID: 37104223 PMCID: PMC10143280 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15040285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycotoxins can be transferred to breast milk during lactation. Hence, the presence of multiple mycotoxins (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, and M1, alpha and beta zearalanol, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins B1, B2, B3, and hydrolyzed B1, nivalenol, ochratoxin A, ochratoxin alpha, and zearalenone) in breast milk samples was assessed in our study. Furthermore, the relationship between total fumonisins and pre/post-harvest and the women's dietary practices was examined. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze the 16 mycotoxins. An adjusted censored regression model was fitted to identify predictors of mycotoxins, i.e., total fumonisins. We detected only fumonisin B2 (15% of the samples) and fumonisin B3 (9% of the samples) while fumonisin B1 and nivalenol were detected only in a single breast milk sample. No association between total fumonisins and pre/post-harvest and dietary practices was found (p < 0.05). The overall exposure to mycotoxins was low in the studied women, although fumonisins contamination was not negligible. Moreover, the recorded total fumonisins was not associated with any of the pre/post-harvest and dietary practices. Therefore, to better identify predictors of fumonisin contamination in breast milk, longitudinal studies with food samples in addition to breast milk samples and with larger sample sizes are needed for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Addisalem Mesfin
- Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University, Jimma 1000, Ethiopia
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Agriculture, Hawassa University, Hawassa 1000, Ethiopia
| | - Carl Lachat
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- MYTOX-SOUTH® International Thematic Network, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Seifu Hagos Gebreyesus
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia
| | - Meselech Roro
- Department of Reproductive Health and Health Service Management, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia
| | - Kokeb Tesfamariam
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ambo University, Ambo 1000, Ethiopia
| | - Tefera Belachew
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University, Jimma 1000, Ethiopia
| | - Marthe De Boevre
- Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- MYTOX-SOUTH® International Thematic Network, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sarah De Saeger
- Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- MYTOX-SOUTH® International Thematic Network, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, Gauteng 2028, South Africa
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Ayelign A, Alemu T, De Saeger S. Validation of a HACCP community-based infants' complementary food safety assurance method in cash crop producing communities in Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2022; 39:1311-1320. [PMID: 35594247 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2022.2075040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
A method based on a hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP)-based standard operating procedure (SOP) has been developed and implemented in community-based (CB) production of complementary foods (CFs) in agrarian regions in rural Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to validate the method in another setup, more specifically in cash crop (coffee and khat) producing communities in Southern Ethiopia. A quasi-experimental study was employed for the method validation. Two villages in the Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia were selected and a total of 40 mother-child pairs, 20 in each village, were involved in the study. Sociodemographic data, knowledge, and complementary feeding practices were collected using pretested questionnaires. The training was given to each mother for 1 h about community-based CFs production and implementation of the method. Then, 30 CF samples were collected and the level of aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) was determined using a validated method. The majority (77.5%) of the mothers understand the importance of complementary feeding and give it to their infants beyond 6 months. Nearly two-thirds (62.5%) of the mothers had knowledge about the health impacts of aflatoxins, but the remaining 37.5% lacked awareness about the health risks of aflatoxins. Mothers were very well-motivated for the training and they promised to implement the knowledge and skill gained from the training for improving the nutritional status of their children. Overall, 23.3% of the CFs were contaminated by aflatoxins. AFB1 and AFG1 were detected in 6.7 and 16.7% of the CF samples, respectively. In cash crop-producing communities around the country, the HACCP-based SOP is easily validated in CB CFs production. Therefore, a scaleup of the method at the national level and beyond is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abebe Ayelign
- Center for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Taddese Alemu
- College of Health Sciences and Referral Hospital, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia.,Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sarah De Saeger
- Department of Bioanalysis, Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Matumba L, Namaumbo S, Ngoma T, Meleke N, De Boevre M, Logrieco AF, De Saeger S. Five keys to prevention and control of mycotoxins in grains: A proposal. GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2021.100562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Bereka T, Kuyu C, Tolera K, Addis E. Current postharvest practices and aflatoxin contamination awareness amongst maize producers in Jimma Zone, Southwest of Ethiopia. WORLD MYCOTOXIN J 2021. [DOI: 10.3920/wmj2020.2642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Grain contamination by mycotoxins can cause significantly negative health and economic impact in areas where poor agricultural practices and food insecurity is prevalent. This study was conducted to investigate the current postharvest practices and aflatoxin contamination awareness level amongst maize producers in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. Semi-structured questionnaires were used for quantitative and qualitative data collection from 90 randomly selected maize producers in two districts through a cross-sectional study design. The study revealed poor postharvest practices due to lack of proper infrastructure. Maize is harvested after maturation with the use of traditional sun drying. Plastic sheets are commonly used to protect harvested maize from rain during field drying. The majority of the respondents reported the use of traditional storage structures (81.1%) with great potential for possible mould proliferation and aflatoxin production. Maize producers of up to 62.2% were ignorant about aflatoxins and up to 26.7% reported the possible usage of aflatoxin contaminated maize in human food preparation and animal feed production. Up to 53.3% of the respondents were ignorant of aflatoxin risks in human health and stability during food processing hence the usage of mouldy maize for tella brewing. Further investigations on aflatoxin levels in maize-based food and beverages, and human exposure studies are needed. Moreover, there is a need to enhance the maize producers’ knowledge on good agricultural practices and mycotoxicosis through awareness programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- T.Y. Bereka
- Department of Postharvest Management, Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 307 Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - C.G. Kuyu
- Department of Postharvest Management, Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 307 Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - K.D. Tolera
- Department of Postharvest Management, Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 307 Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - E.M. Addis
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 307 Jimma, Ethiopia
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Boshe B, Gebremedhin S, Alemayehu F, Eshete M, Taye M, Stoecker BJ. Aflatoxin exposure among lactating women in southern Ethiopia. Food Sci Nutr 2020; 8:6738-6745. [PMID: 33312557 PMCID: PMC7723177 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.1968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In Ethiopia and many other low-income countries, little is known about the exposure of lactating women to aflatoxin, which is a major health concern to the mother and her nursing infant. We determined the aflatoxin B1 contamination of family foods (AFB1) and urinary aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) of lactating women in Sidama, southern Ethiopia, and compared the levels across agroecological settings (lowland, midland, highland) and two seasons. We conducted two surveys (n = 360) that represented the dry and wet seasons of the locality. AFM1 and AFB1 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was made using Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test. The median (interquartile range) AFB1 was 0.94 (0.63-1.58) ppb. AFB1 was detected in 95.6% of the food samples, and 13.6% exceeded the 2.0 ppb threshold. We observed an increasing trend for aflatoxin exposure from highland to lowland (p < .001), but there was no difference between seasons (p = .743). The median (interquartile range) urinary AFM1 was 214 (undetectable to 2,582) ppt, and AFM1 was detectable in 53.3% of the samples. Urinary AFM1 showed significant difference among agroecological zones (p < .001) but not between seasons (p = .275). A significant but weak correlation was observed between AFB1 and urinary AFM1 (rs = 0.177, p = .001). We concluded that lactating women in Sidama, especially those in the lowland area, have unsafe exposure to aflatoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bergene Boshe
- School of Nutrition, Food Science and TechnologyHawassa UniversityHawassaEthiopia
| | | | - Fikadu Alemayehu
- School of Nutrition, Food Science and TechnologyHawassa UniversityHawassaEthiopia
| | - Mesfin Eshete
- School of Nutrition, Food Science and TechnologyHawassa UniversityHawassaEthiopia
| | - Mestawet Taye
- School of Animal and Range SciencesHawassa UniversityHawassaEthiopia
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Mamo FT, Abate BA, Tesfaye K, Nie C, Wang G, Liu Y. Mycotoxins in Ethiopia: A Review on Prevalence, Economic and Health Impacts. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:E648. [PMID: 33049980 PMCID: PMC7601512 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12100648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycotoxigenic fungi and their toxins are a global concern, causing huge economic and health impacts in developing countries such as Ethiopia, where the mycotoxin control system is inadequate. This work aimed to review the occurrences of agriculturally essential fungi such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium and their major mycotoxins in Ethiopian food/feedstuffs. The incidents of crucial toxins, including aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2, M1), fumonisins (B1, B2), zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, and ochratoxin A, were studied. The impacts of chronic aflatoxin exposure on liver cancer risks, synergy with chronic hepatitis B infection, and possible links with Ethiopian childhood malnutrition were thoroughly examined. In addition, health risks of other potential mycotoxin exposure are also discussed, and the impacts of unsafe level of mycotoxin contaminations on economically essential export products and livestock productions were assessed. Feasible mycotoxin mitigation strategies such as biocontrol methods and binding agents (bentonite) were recommended because they are relatively cheap for low-income farmers and widely available in Ethiopia, respectively. Moreover, Ethiopian mycotoxin regulations, storage practice, adulteration practice, mycotoxin tests, and knowledge gaps among value chain actors were highlighted. Finally, sustained public awareness was suggested, along with technical and human capacity developments in the food control sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firew Tafesse Mamo
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, China; (F.T.M.); (C.N.)
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China;
- Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar 79, Ethiopia
| | | | - Kassahun Tesfaye
- Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute, Addis Ababa 5954, Ethiopia; (B.A.A.); (K.T.)
| | - Chengrong Nie
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, China; (F.T.M.); (C.N.)
| | - Gang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, China; (F.T.M.); (C.N.)
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China;
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Eshete M, Gebremedhin S, Alemayehu FR, Taye M, Boshe B, Stoecker BJ. Aflatoxin contamination of human breast milk and complementary foods in southern Ethiopia. MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION 2020; 17:e13081. [PMID: 32954680 PMCID: PMC7729635 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to unsafe level of aflatoxin in early life may lead to growth faltering. However, the extent of contamination of breast milk and complementary foods is poorly examined. We determined aflatoxin M1 (AFM1 ) and B1 (AFB1 ) contamination of human breast milk and cereal-based cooked complementary foods, respectively, among households having children 6-23 months of age in Sidama zone, southern Ethiopia. Data were collected through two cross-sectional surveys implemented in the wet (n = 180) and dry (n = 180) seasons. Eligible households (n = 360) were recruited from three agroecological zones (lowland, midland and highland, each with sample size of 120) using a multistage sampling technique. AFB1 and AFM1 levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to compare aflatoxin levels between seasons and across the agroecological zones. Among 360 breast milk samples tested, 64.4% had detectable AFM1 and 5.3% exceeded the 0.025 parts per billion (ppb) limit set by the European Union for infant milk. The median AFM1 in the lowlands was significantly higher than in the other agroecological settings (P < 0.001). By season, AFM1 was higher in breast milk samples collected in the dry season (P = 0.041). AFB1 was detected in 96.4% of the food samples tested, and 95.0% had concentration exceeding the permissible European Union limit of 0.1 ppb. The median AFB1 was significantly higher in the lowland (P = 0.002), but there was no difference between the seasons (P = 0.386). The study indicated that, in southern Ethiopia, foods intended for infants are heavily contaminated with AFB1 . Contamination of breast milk is also a significant health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mesfin Eshete
- School of Nutrition, Food Science and Technology, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Fikadu R Alemayehu
- School of Nutrition, Food Science and Technology, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Mestawet Taye
- School of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Bergene Boshe
- School of Nutrition, Food Science and Technology, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Barbara J Stoecker
- College of Human Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
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Ayelign A, De Saeger S. Mycotoxins in Ethiopia: Current status, implications to food safety and mitigation strategies. Food Control 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Abdallah MF, De Boevre M, Audenaert K, Haesaert G, De Saeger S. Highlight report: Mycotoxins as food contaminants in Africa—challenges and perspectives. Arch Toxicol 2018; 92:2151-2152. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-018-2203-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Scaling-Up the Impact of Aflatoxin Research in Africa. The Role of Social Sciences. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10040136. [PMID: 29570687 PMCID: PMC5923302 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10040136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
At the interface between agriculture and nutrition, the aflatoxin contamination of food and feed touches on agriculture, health, and trade. For more than three decades now, the problem of aflatoxin has been researched in Africa. The interest of development cooperation for aflatoxin and the support to aflatoxin mitigation projects has its ups and downs. The academic world and the development world still seem to operate in different spheres and a collaboration is still challenging due to the complexity of the contamination sources at pre-harvest and post-harvest levels. There is a growing call by research funders and development actors for the impact of solutions at a scale. The solutions to mitigate aflatoxin contamination require new ways of working together. A more prominent role is to be played by social scientists. The role of social scientists in scaling-up the impact of aflatoxin research in Africa and the proposed mitigation solutions is to ensure that awareness, advantage, affordability, and access are systematically assessed. Aflatoxin-reduced staple foods and feed would be an agricultural result with a considerable health and food safety impact.
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Ayelign A, Woldegiorgis AZ, Adish A, De Boevre M, Heyndrickx E, De Saeger S. Assessment of aflatoxin exposure among young children in Ethiopia using urinary biomarkers. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2017; 34:1606-1616. [DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2017.1350290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Abebe Ayelign
- Department of Bioanalysis, Laboratory of Food Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Food Science and Nutrition, College of Natural Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Ashagrie Zewdu Woldegiorgis
- Center for Food Science and Nutrition, College of Natural Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abdulaziz Adish
- Micronutrient Initiative (MI), Deputy Regional Director, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Marthe De Boevre
- Department of Bioanalysis, Laboratory of Food Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ellen Heyndrickx
- Department of Bioanalysis, Laboratory of Food Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sarah De Saeger
- Department of Bioanalysis, Laboratory of Food Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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