Occurrence of aflatoxin in agricultural produce from local markets in Burundi and Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Aflatoxins are noxious secondary metabolites, of certain fungal species, found in food and feed. Contamination of a commodity with aflatoxins is associated with production and storage losses, and subsequently less food availability. Aflatoxins can also pose human health risks and represent a barrier to the development of trade, in both domestic and international markets. In this study, samples of cassava, maize, groundnut, beans, soybean, sorghum and milk, and their processed products were collected from local markets in Burundi and Eastern DRC. In order to investigate the levels of aflatoxin, crop samples were analyzed using a single step lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (Reveal Q+), while enzyme‐linked immune‐sorbent assay (ELISA) was used to analyze aflatoxin‐M1 in milk, yogurt, and cheese samples. The results revealed the presence of aflatoxins in all samples from both countries, with levels ranging from 1.3 to 2,410 μg/kg. Samples collected from Burundi contained relatively higher (p > 0.0.5) levels of aflatoxins. In 51% of all the crops samples, total aflatoxin contamination was above the EU maximum tolerable level of 4 μg/kg. Processed products, particularly from groundnut, maize, and sorghum, had the highest levels of aflatoxin contamination when compared to unprocessed grain. With regard to milk and dairy products, the level of aflatoxin‐M1 ranged from 4.8 to 261.1 ng/kg. Approximately 29% of milk and yogurt samples had aflatoxin‐M1 higher than the EU regulatory limit of 50 ng/kg, whereas 20% of cheese samples were found to be contaminated at levels higher than the maximum limit of 250 ng/kg. These results can serve as the basis for pre‐ and postharvest approaches to reduce aflatoxin contamination in agricultural commodities in Burundi and Eastern DRC in order to reduce health risk, avoid reduced production in livestock, and open up export markets.

A Review of the Impact of Mycotoxins on Dairy Cattle Health: Challenges for Food Safety and Dairy Production in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…A study on the levels of AFM1 in milk and milk products in markets in Burundi and DR Congo showed 100% positive samples with maximum levels of 0.082 and 0.261 µg/kg, respectively. These maximum levels are above the EU regulatory limit [38].…”

“…This is attributed to the lack of knowledge on the mycotoxin issue, poverty, and lack of research facilities, manpower, and skills in these countries [37]. However, in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, AFB1 has been reported in food samples and AFM1 in cow milk [38], but little data is available on mycotoxins contamination in dairy feed. Raphaël et al [39] reported the occurrence of AF in poultry feed, maize, and peanut meal at levels as high as 950 µg/kg in Cameroon, but little data is available on dairy feed.…”

Inhibitory Effect of Volatiles Emitted From Alcaligenes faecalis N1-4 on Aspergillus flavus and Aflatoxins in Storage

“…In Burundi and Congo, the percentage of AFs contamination was 100% in 244 samples collected from local marker including crops, milk, and other products. In these samples, more than 50% crops were contaminated with large amount of AFs which were higher than the maximum limit set by the European Union (Udomkun et al, 2018). Azziz-Baumgartner et al (2005) reported over 125 human deaths in Kenya due to the consumption of AFs contaminated foods during 2004–2005.…”

Update on mycotoxin contamination of maize and peanuts in East African Community Countries

“…These conditions are conducive for fungal growth and mycotoxin production [3]. Mycotoxins are secondary toxic metabolites of fungi that contaminate food in many different parts of the world with far-reaching consequences on human and animal health in addition to causing enormous economic losses [4][5][6][7][8]. Several studies have reported high mycotoxin levels in maize and peanuts from the East African community region [9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”