Biocontrol of Aspergillus and Fusarium Mycotoxins in Africa: Benefits and Limitations

Abstract

Fungal contamination and the consequent mycotoxin production is a hindrance to food and feed safety, international trade and human and animal health. In Africa, fungal contamination by Fusarium and Aspergillus is heightened by tropical climatic conditions that create a suitable environment for pre- and postharvest mycotoxin production. The biocontrol of Fusarium and its associated fusariotoxins has stagnated at laboratory and experimental levels with species of Trichoderma, Bacillus and atoxigenic Fusarium being tested as the most promising candidates. Hitherto, there is no impetus to upscale for field use owing to the inconsistent results of these agents. Non-aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus have been developed to create biocontrol formulations by outcompeting the aflatoxigenic strains, thus thwarting aflatoxins on the target produce by 70% to 90%. Questions have been raised on their ability to produce other mycotoxins like cyclopiazonic acid, to potentially exchange genetic material and to become aflatoxigenic with consequent deleterious effects on other organisms and environments. Other biocontrol approaches to mitigate aflatoxins include the use of lactic acid bacteria and yeast species which have demonstrated the ability to prevent the growth of Aspergillus flavus and consequent toxin production under laboratory conditions. Nevertheless, these strategies seem to be ineffective under field conditions. The efficacy of biological agents is normally dependent on environmental factors, formulations’ safety to non-target hosts and the ecological impact. Biocontrol agents can only be effectively evaluated after long-term use, causing a never-ending debate on the use of live organisms as a remedy to pests and diseases over the use of chemicals. Biocontrol should be used in conjunction with good agricultural practices coupled with good postharvest management to significantly reduce mycotoxins in the African continent.

Present Status and Perspective on the Future Use of Aflatoxin Biocontrol Products

“…Whereas some researchers have critical opinion regarding biocontrol of aflatoxins [116][117][118][119][120], substantial research conducted with field and tree crops has shown that using atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus as biocontrol agents is one of the most effective pre-harvest management strategies for reducing aflatoxin contamination (Figure 3). The extensive research demonstrating the efficacy, safety, and benefits of the technology have allowed registration of several aflatoxin biocontrol products with regulatory authorities.…”

Aflatoxins: Production, Structure, Health Issues and Incidence in Southeast Asian and Sub-Saharan African Countries

“…These favourable environmental conditions are enhanced by the vulnerability of the prevailing agricultural systems. Farming activities are essentially managed for subsistence by smallholders facing technical and socio-economic challenges that hamper any efforts to restrain aflatoxin contamination [71][72][73]. Moreover, the staple crops grown, such as peanut, maize, sorghum, rice, sunflower, and cottonseed are good substrates for aflatoxin production [74][75].…”

Critical Assessment of Streptomyces spp. Able to Control Toxigenic Fusaria in Cereals: A Literature and Patent Review

“…The main obstacles for biocontrol agents are due to the lack of consistency when microbial inoculants are applied under complex environmental conditions, and to the complexity of finding appropriate formulation and timing for application [48]. Biological, ecological, toxicological, and regulatory cost factors also influence the effectiveness and marketability of biological control products [49].…”