Mycotoxins in Ethiopia: A Review on Prevalence, Economic and Health Impacts

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.

Aflatoxin Biosynthesis, Genetic Regulation, Toxicity, and Control Strategies: A Review

“…It is noteworthy, however, that humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity might not always be distinguishable. For instance, the deregulation of dendritic cell proliferation and expression of TLRs can affect both innate and adaptive immunity since such antigen-producing cells serve as critical intermediaries for both forms of the immune response [108,109].…”

Negligible Levels of Mycotoxin Contamination in Durum Wheat and Groundnuts from Non-Intensive Rainfed Production Systems

“…The few studies so far published on mycotoxins contamination in durum wheat in Ethiopia (Table 3) reported scarce mycotoxin contamination [38,39], although reports of mycotoxins in food and food commodities [40] and of the fungi responsible for the production of mycotoxins [41] have recently raised a concern. Ayalew et al [38] report a low presence of DON, OTA, and NIV contaminants in durum wheat samples from Central and South Ethiopia.…”

Using Cholinesterases and Immobilized Luminescent Photobacteria for the Express-Analysis of Mycotoxins and Estimating the Efficiency of Their Enzymatic Hydrolysis

“…Studying mycotoxins is topical and relevant for ensuring food and biological safety [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Analytical approaches to the detection and identification of mycotoxins [ 4 ] are being actively developed, and so are strategies for mycotoxin control and detoxification [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

“…The initial choice of perspective biocatalysts for in-depth study is based on the published data. For example, it is known that enzymes of some classes, including hexa-histidine-tagged organophosphorus hydrolase (His 6 -OPH), exhibit destructive activity towards various mycotoxins [ 3 , 9 , 10 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Computer design, and, in particular, the molecular docking method [ 18 , 19 ], is yet another technique which has been proved useful for the initial selection of promising potential candidates from a number of enzymes for the decomposition of mycotoxins.…”