Knowledge of subsistence maize farmers on aflatoxin contamination and determinants for adoption of artisanal control technologies in Kitui, Kenya

Winfred, Muthini Kyalo; Joshua, Orungo Onono; Jackson, Nyarongi Ombui; Peter, Baaro Gathura

doi:10.5897/jaerd2022.1348

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Produce stored on the bare ground encourages the growth of Aspergillus species that produce aflatoxins by increasing ambient humidity (Kaaya and Eboku, 2010). The findings support those of numerous authors who also reported that storing produce on the bare ground caused high levels of aflatoxins (Kyalo et al, 2022;Namubiru et al, 2022;Sahar et al, 2022) 4.2 Knowledge on aflatoxins and levels of total aflatoxins in maize, maize flour and beans.…”

Section: 1supporting

confidence: 76%

Maize meal (posho) served at selected boarding schools in western Uganda is highly contaminated with aflatoxins

Oyesigye,

Nkurunungi,

Mlahagwa

et al. 2024

World Mycotox. J.

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The study aimed to evaluate food handling practices and assess the maize-bean supply chain in selected boarding schools of western Uganda. Additionally, it sought to determine the extent of aflatoxin exposure in the maize-bean meal consumed by students within the age range of 5 to 24. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two districts of Bushenyi and Sheema to gather 95 samples (31 beans, 32 maize flour, and 32 cooked maize flour-posho). In addition, 262 individual interviews were conducted. The findings revealed that only 9.38% of the schools store food as per World Health Organisation standards. The majority of schools (57.9%) purchase maize flour and beans from any stockist with no contractual obligations (random supplier), and all the 32 schools base on visual parameters, especially white colour, and smell to rule out aflatoxin contamination. Maize flour stored on the ground registered significantly (P = 0.0018) higher levels (54.3 ± 10.1 μg/kg) of total aflatoxins than that stored on a raised platform (14.7 ± 2.6 μg/kg). Likewise, the supplier significantly influenced total aflatoxins levels (P = 0.0064), with higher levels (44.6 ± 8.0 μg/kg) detected in maize flour supplied by a random supplier than a pre-qualified one (14.7 ± 2.6 μg/kg). Given the low levels (1.3 to 2.8 μg/kg), which are far less than the Maximum Tolerated Limit (MTL) of 10 μg/kg, aflatoxins do not pose a significant problem in beans. Aflatoxins exposure in younger children (5-12 years) was higher (61.5 ng/kg bw/day) than in older ones (13-24 years; 41.5 ng/kg bw/day). Similarly, the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma was greater in younger children (1.84 cases per 100,000 people) compared to older ones (1.24 cases per 100,000 people). The findings underscore an urgent need to formulate guidelines for procurement, storage, and food handling in schools, alongside intensifying inspection programmes for food handling. Additionally, there is need to expand the research scope by incorporating a greater number of schools from varied geographical areas within Uganda, while rigorously monitoring the entirety of the food supply chain.

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Section: 1supporting

confidence: 76%

Maize meal (posho) served at selected boarding schools in western Uganda is highly contaminated with aflatoxins

Oyesigye,

Nkurunungi,

Mlahagwa

et al. 2024

World Mycotox. J.

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“…Te average household size was 6 persons, and the average land size owned by households was 2.6 acres, with the largest farm size holding being 20 acres. Te primary sources of income for households included crop agriculture and livestock farming (96%) with only a small proportion of respondents who were on salary employment [30].…”

Section: Demographic Characteristics Of Maize Farmersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Shelled maize grain was stored either in hermetic bags (44%), propylene bags (39%), and gunny bags (13%), while the remainder was stored without shelling. Fifty percent of maize farmers applied insecticides before maize storage, while the majority of farmers placed maize bags on wooden pallets during storage [30].…”

Section: Artisanal Afatoxin Control Technologies Adopted Bymentioning

confidence: 99%

Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize from Small-Scale Farms Practicing Different Artisanal Control Methods in Kitui, Kenya

Kyalo,

Onono,

Ombui

et al. 2023

Journal of Food Quality

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Aflatoxin contamination of maize is a threat to food security and public health for households that depend on farming in developing countries. The objective of this study was to determine levels of total aflatoxins in maize from farms adopting different artisanal aflatoxin control methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 315 maize farmers who provided maize samples for aflatoxin analysis and additional data on artisanal aflatoxin control methods applied at farm level. Maize grains were ground, and levels of aflatoxins were determined using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed by computing descriptive statistical measures, and binary logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between levels of aflatoxin in maize and artisanal control methods applied in different farms. Aflatoxin was detected in 98% of maize samples with a mean total aflatoxin level of 12.86 μg/kg which was above the maximum tolerable limits. There was a significant difference in total aflatoxin levels in maize obtained from farms which practiced minimum tillage compared to those practicing deep tillage ( p = 0.015). Drying maize on bare ground had a higher likelihood of aflatoxin contamination than drying maize on tarpaulin ( p = 0.005). One-third of maize samples had aflatoxin levels exceeding the set maximum limit, with maize samples from lowland areas having high proportions of aflatoxin-positive cases as compared to uplands. Artisanal aflatoxin control technologies such as land tillage, types of platforms for drying maize, and sources of maize seed significantly influence the level of aflatoxins in maize samples. We recommend targeted active surveillance for aflatoxins, continuous public education, and adoption of farm-level mitigation measures to reduce the impact of aflatoxin contamination in farming communities.

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Management of aflatoxins in maize during storage using plant products and diatomaceous earth

Tenge,

Muiru,

Linguya

et al. 2024

Cogent Food & Agriculture

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Knowledge of subsistence maize farmers on aflatoxin contamination and determinants for adoption of artisanal control technologies in Kitui, Kenya

Cited by 3 publications

References 30 publications

Maize meal (posho) served at selected boarding schools in western Uganda is highly contaminated with aflatoxins

Maize meal (posho) served at selected boarding schools in western Uganda is highly contaminated with aflatoxins

Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize from Small-Scale Farms Practicing Different Artisanal Control Methods in Kitui, Kenya

Management of aflatoxins in maize during storage using plant products and diatomaceous earth

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