Economic losses and decontamination

Abstract

Mycotoxin contamination of crops may cause economic losses at all levels of food and feed production including crop and animal production, and crop distribution and processing. The national economy would be affected adversely by losses incurred by crop and livestock producers and the multiplier effect this has on other industries as a result of the reduced spending power of producers. Costs of chemical analyses, quality control and regulatory programs, research and development, extension services, law suits, and the cost of human illnesses must all be borne by the national economy. The value of the losses encountered depends on grain, animal, and animal product prices, interest rates, degree of contamination, and other economic variables. Even during favourable seasons it is likely that millions of dollars are lost as a result of the contamination of crops with mycotoxins. Many compounds and treatments have been tested in order to reduce mycotoxin concentrations in food and feed or to alleviate their adverse effects on animals. Some of these treatments show promising prospects for commercial application, while others have had commercial applications already. However, until reliable, cost-effective, commercially applicable methods are more widely available, problems associated with mycotoxin contamination and the economic losses resulting, will continue to be seen in food and agriculture industries.

Biodiversity of Fusarium species in ears and stalks of maize plants in Belgium

“…Ear rot and stalk rot are two major diseases of maize and are responsible for severe crop damage and mycotoxin contaminations (Charmley et al 1995). Both diseases are caused by a complex of Fusarium species (Kommedahl et al 1979).…”

Biological detoxification of fungal toxins and its use in plant breeding, feed and food production

“…Thus the use of mycotoxin-binding additives in feeds, flavouring agents improving feed intake and other dietary interventions have been grouped with biological decontamination methods (Charmley and Prelusky, 1994). Even blending contaminated crops with batches of good quality material in order to lower mycotoxin concentration to acceptable levels was designated as a biological method (Charmley and Prelusky, 1994;Charmley et al, 1995). Diluting aflatoxin-contaminated grains with clean grains, dubbed 'criminal-biological decontamination' by some, has been widely used for feeds in the past (Patterson and Young, 1993).…”

Mycotoxins: Their implications for human and animal health

“…However, under modern agricultural practice more often subacute intoxication, with a great diversity in symptoms is observed. Moreover, chronic exposure to low doses may even remain undetected but may result in reduced weight gain, diminished productivity and increased susceptibility to infections (7). Aspergillus parasiticus (9).…”

“…Subsequently, various approaches have been undertaken to decontaminate feed commodities, by means of chemical agents to prevent animal diseases as well as economic losses (7). The most prominent example is the application of ammonia treatment of aflatoxin contaminated feed commodities.…”