Sorghum and pearl millet, ingredients for the popular Namibian traditional fermented beverage oshikundu, are prone to fungal infection, raising concerns for consumer health from mycotoxin exposure. This study aimed at determining the diversity of fungal metabolites in street-vended ingredients and their transfer rates into oshikundu. A total of 105 samples (40 sorghum malt, 40 pearl millet, 25 oshikundu) were analysed for 700 fungal, bacterial and plant metabolites, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Of 98 quantified metabolites, 84 were fungal, some being mycotoxins. Aspergillus metabolites were most prevalent (50%, n=42), including aflatoxins, aflatoxin precursors, cyclopiazonic acid and 3-nitropropionic acid from Aspergillus flavus; helvolic acid, gliotoxin and fumiquinazolines from Aspergillus fumigatus and cytochalasin E, patulin and tryptoquivalines from Aspergillus clavatus. High levels of up to 2,280 μg/kg for cyclopiazonic acid and 11,900 μg/kg for 3-nitropropionic acid were quantified in sorghum malts. Other metabolites included fumonisins, curvularin, alternariol and dihydroergosine produced by Fusarium, Penicillium, Alternaria and Claviceps genera, respectively. European Union legislated mycotoxins occurred in cereals at a prevalence range of 3-75%, while none were quantifiable in oshikundu. Aflatoxin B1 was quantified in pearl millet meals (13%) and sorghum malts (50%), with 15% sorghum malts having levels above the European Union regulatory limit of 5 μg/kg. Fumonisin B1 was quantified in pearl millet meals (50%) and sorghum malts (75%) at maximum levels of 3,060 μg/kg and 123 μg/kg respectively, and levels in 5% pearl millet meals were above the European Union regulatory limit of 2,000 μg/kg. Zearalenone and ochratoxin A were quantified in the cereals at levels below European Union regulatory limits. For most metabolites quantifiable in oshikundu, transfer rates from cereals to oshikundu were above 50%, necessitating the use of good quality ingredients for preparing oshikundu and assessment of consumer exposure to mycotoxins.

Sorghum malts, which are important ingredients in traditional fermented beverages, are commonly infected by mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins may transfer into the beverages, risking consumers’ health. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine variation of fungal metabolites in 81 sorghum malts processed for brewing of Namibian beverages, otombo (n = 45) and omalodu (n = 36). Co-occurrence of European Union (EU)-regulated mycotoxins, such as patulin, aflatoxins (B1, B2, and G2), and fumonisins (B1, B2, and B3) was detected in both malts with a prevalence range of 2–84%. Aflatoxin B1 was quantified in omalodu (44%) and otombo malts (14%), with 20% of omalodu malts and 40% of otombo malts having levels above the EU allowable limit. Fumonisin B1 was quantified in both omalodu (84%) and otombo (42%) malts. Emerging mycotoxins, aflatoxin precursors, and ergot alkaloids were quantified in both malts. Notably, 102 metabolites were quantified in both malts, with 96% in omalodu malts and 93% in otombo malts. An average of 48 metabolites were quantified in otombo malts while an average of 67 metabolites were quantified in omalodu malts. The study accentuates the need to monitor mycotoxins in sorghum malts intended for brewing and to determine their fate in the beverages.

Background: COVID-19, a global pandemic, has disrupted pharmacy education in Africa, due to unpreparedness to migrate to online Learning. Aim: To assess outcomes and challenges facing migration to online pharmacy education. Methods: An evaluation of implementation of online learning in the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme in Namibia using key informant feedback. The outcomes were outputs and challenges facing migration to online learning, and its impact on pass rates and scores. Results: The pooled mean score was higher in 2020 (66.2%), compared to 2019 (63.4%) and 2018 (62.1%), (p=0.076). A variety of platforms were used as alternatives or supplements to Moodle. The main challenges included inequalities in internet connectivity, monitoring and quality assurance, implementation of experiential learning, and reliability of online assessment. Conclusions: Whilst migration to online learning did not impact on pass rates, there is need for policies and systems to address programmatic challenges to eliminate inequalities in online pharmacy education.

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