Aims: This study aims to determine merchantability of maize produced and stocked as grains, epis and spathes of maize in five departments of Côte d’Ivoire. Study Design: A total of 375 samples were collected at rate of 75 samples by department (Botro, Korhogo, Katiola, Agniblékro and Bondoukou). Then, the received samples were sent to the laboratory in order to analyse their merchantability. Place and Duration of Study: The collection of samples was carried out on grains, epis and spathes maize from February 2013 to January 2014. Then, the analyzes were carried out at the Biochemistry and Food Sciences Laboratory of the Félix Houphouët-boigny University. Methodology: The humidity was determined by drying until constant weight when the losses and damages of grains have been quantified by counting and weighing. Results: The results show that for maize grains, humidity levels vary from 8.59±0.11% to 14.18±0.52%. Concerning epis of maize, humidity levels are between 9.85±0.23% to 13.02±0.32%. For maize spathes, humidity levels fluctuate between 11.16±0.29% to 14.17±0.32%. The damages varies from 5.01±2.64% to 19.35±2.00% for maize grains, 9.05±5.27% to 21.29±7.17% for epis and 17.95±1.13% for spathes. As regards weigh losses, proportions of grains, epis and spathes are between 1.53±1.17% and 5.10±0.97%, 2.43±1.70% and 6.54±1.79% and 2.76±1.18% and 5.11±2.65%, respectively. Conclusion: A significant variability from one department to another can be noticed at level of maize quality regardless the type of maize. The merchantability of maize seems to be tied to post-harvest treatments (drying), type of storage (epis, grains and spathes) and structure of storage.

Aims: The objective of this study is to estimate the health risk incurred by the Ivorian adult consumer as a result of exposure to AFB1 and the sum of aflatoxins (AFT) through the consumption of maize. Place and Duration of Study: During this study 375 samples of maize (grains, cobs, spathes) were taken from February 2016 to January 2017 and the analyzes were carried out at the Biotechnology Laboratory, Agriculture and Development of Biological Resources of the Félix HOUPHOUËT-BOIGNY University. Methodology: The detection of aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) was performed by HPLC using the AOAC method. The risk analysis procedure was conducted according to the Codex Alimentarius risk analysis model. It consisted of a quantitative assessment. The quantitative estimation of the aflatoxin exposure was performed according to the deterministic approach. Results: The results indicate the presence of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 in all forms of maize (grains, cobs, spathes) and in the five regions visited. The average concentrations of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and the sum of aflatoxins (AFT) ranged from 0.79 ± 0.04 µg/kg to 130.31 ± 22.56 µg/kg and from 2.63 ± 2.35 µg/kg to 169.13 ± 40.39 µg/kg, respectively. Subsequently, the Estimated Daily Intakes (EDI) by consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated maize vary according to the level of contamination. They range from 0.28±0.00 ng/kg body weight/day to 52.85±9.14 ng/kg body weight/day for AFB1 exposure. They ranged from 1.00±0.85 ng/kg body weight/day to 68.57± 16.28 ng/kg body weight/day for AFT exposure. Samples of maize grains and cobs from the Gbèkê, Poro and Hambol regions showed low daily doses below the reference values (2.028 ng/kg body weight/day and 4.056 ng/kg body weight/day). The opposite results are observed with samples (grains, ears and spathes) from Indenié-Djuablin and Gountougo. Conclusion: The results of the daily doses of aflatoxin exposure of these regions show a need for monitoring their production. Thus, the implementation of efficient technical itineraries throughout the maize distribution chain, both during production, post-harvest processing, and conservation will be able to guarantee a better sanitary quality of this agricultural food product.

Aims : The aim of this work is to take stock of the level of ochratoxin A (OTA), fumonisin B1 (FB1) and zearalenone (ZEA) contamination in maize produced in Cote d'Ivoire in order to help improve its quality. Study Design: Maize samples (375) were taken in five producing regions (Poro, Hambol, Gontougo, Gbêkê, Indénié-Djuablin). Place and Duration of Study: the collection was carried out on maize in grain, on the cob and in spathe from February 2016 to January 2017. Then, the analyzes were carried out at the Biotechnology Laboratory, Agriculture and Development of Biological Resources of the Félix HOUPHOUËT-BOIGNY University. Methodology: The determination of ochratoxin A, fumonisin B1 and zearalenone was carried out according to the methods of regulation No. 401/2006/EC, AFNOR, Miraglia and Brera. Results: The results indicate the presence of ochratoxin A, fumonisin B1 and zearalenone in all forms of maize (grains, cob, spathes) and the five regions visited. However, the average concentrations of fumonisin B1 and zearalenone are respectively 27.46 µg/kg-1999.22 µg/kg and 8.48 µg/kg-341.84 µg/kg and are lower than the prescribed reference standards (2000 µg/kg ; 500 µg/kg). For ochratoxin A, the average concentrations vary from 0.83 µg/kg to 14.38 µg/kg ; 1.92 µg/kg to 18.60 µg/kg and 2.21 µg/kg to 134.89 µg/kg respectively for grains, cob and spathes. Samples from the Regions of Poro, Gbêkê and Hambol have mean concentrations below the maximum reference limit of 5µg/kg. Thus, variability in the sanitary quality of maize was demonstrated from one region to another, regardless of the form of the maize. Based on the principal component analysis, spathes represent the form of maize most prone to high contamination regardless of mycotoxin and région. Conclusion: The searching alternative storage methods and the right form of maize storage could be a solution to the high mycotoxin contamination of marketed maize.

Aims: The aim of this work is to assess the level of aflatoxins contamination in maize produced in five regions (Poro, Hambol, Gontougo, Gbêkê, Indénié-Djuablin) of Côte d'Ivoire. Place and duration of study: In this study 375 samples of maize (grains, cobs, spathes) were taken from February 2016 to January 2017 and the aflatoxin analyses were carried out at the Biotechnology Laboratory, Agriculture and Development of Biological Resources of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny University. Methodology: The aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1 and G2) were extracted and assayed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) according to the AOAC method. Results: The results indicate the presence of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 in all forms of maize (grains, cobs, spathes) and in the five regions chosen for the study. The mean concentrations of aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) and the total aflatoxins (AFT) varied from 0.79 ± 0.04 µg/kg to 130.31 ± 22.56 µg/kg and from 2.63 ± 2,35 µg/kg to 169.13 ± 40.39 µg/kg respectively. samples from Indénié-Djuablin, Hambol and Gountougo regions showed the highest proportions of non-compliance with the european Union limit of 5 μg/kg and 10 μg/kg. Regarding AFB1, these proportions vary from 0% to 46% in the regions of Gbêkê, Poro and Hambol, while they are between 54% and 96% in the regions of Indénié-Djuablin and Gontougo. For total aflatoxins, the proportions of non-compliant samples were between 0% and 40% (Gbêkê and Poro), 12% and 56% (Hambol), 56% and 96% (Indénié-Djuablin and Gontougo). Conclusion: These results demonstrate a need for monitoring of maize production by stakeholders in the sector who should adopt good agricultural practices.