Aflatoxin cause, effect and prevention

AFLATOXIN

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INTRODUCTION

Aflatoxins are harmful substances that contaminate certain food commodities and their products. It can have serious health complications if consumed in greater qualities. Aflatoxins cannot be seen by the naked eyes but the fungi that produces aflatoxin; ASPERGILLUS FLEVUS, is a green powdery substances mostly found in cereals.

FOOD THAT ARE PRONE TO AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION.

These include maize, sorghum, rice, groundnut, cotton seed, and some spices such as chili pepper, animal fed on contaminated food can pass aflatoxin to eggs and milk products.

HOW DOES AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION OCCUR?

The fungi that produce aflatoxin originated from the soil, therefore the risk of aflatoxin contamination begins from the (pre-harvesting) and can be worsen by wrong harvesting, handling, storage, processing and transport practices.

THE EFFECTS OF AFLATOXINS

HEALTH: It is carcinogenic and toxic causing liver cancer.

ECONOMIC LOSES: Africa cumulatively loses more than US$670million because they cannot access these markets since many of their commodities contain aflatoxins above the set limit.

FOOD SAFETY: The food and Agriculture organization (FAO) estimate that 25% of the food produced worldwide is contaminated with aflatoxin.

FOOD SECURITY: Contaminated foods are supposed to be disposed of.

AREA PRONE TO AFLATOXIN: The entire area 40N and 40S of the equator, covering Africa, some parts of the USA, South Africa, Southern Europe and most of Asia, has climatic conditions that favor the growth of the fungi producing aflatoxin.

TO WHAT EXTENT ARE NIGERIAN FOODS CONTAMINATED WITH AFLATOXIN?

A study of Nigeria “The country led situation analysis and action planning (C-SAAP)” Commissioned in 2016 by The Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA) Of the Africa union commission (AUC), has revealed that aflatoxins levels in some crops are high according to the findings; 51% Groundnuts sample were above the European Union (EU) Limited and 14% were above the United states (US) limits. Aflatoxin content is 31% of the sample maize was higher than EU limited while 9% of Sesame as major source of oil and problem, continuous consuming these crops expose us to the risk of aflatoxin.

WHAT IS THE HEALTH RISK OF AFLATOXIN TO NIGERIA?

The C-SAAP study estimates that Nigeria would record 2,437 new cases of aflatoxin induced liver cancer annually and that can lead to annual financial loss of up to US$997million.

EFFECT OF AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE?

Rejection of about 39% of our exported production due to aflatoxin.

HOW CAN AFLATOXIN BE MANAGED?

Dietary diversification, good farming practices.

CURRENT INITIATIVES TO CONTROL AFLATOXIN IN NIGERIA?

AUC, PACA, C-SAAP, and the AIMS (Aflatoxin Information Management system).

Image illustration on the effect of Aflatoxin.

Common food affected by Aflatoxin.

                                       

    Structure of Aflatoxin.