Current Status of Mycotoxin Contamination of Food Commodities in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Agricultural products, especially cereal grains, serve as staple foods in sub-Saharan Africa. However, climatic conditions in this region can lead to contamination of these commodities by moulds, with subsequent production of mycotoxins posing health risks to both humans and animals. There is limited documentation on the occurrence of mycotoxins in sub-Saharan African countries, leading to the exposure of their populations to a wide variety of mycotoxins through consumption of contaminated foods. This review aims at highlighting the current status of mycotoxin contamination of food products in Zimbabwe and recommended strategies of reducing this problem. Zimbabwe is one of the African countries with very little information with regards to mycotoxin contamination of its food commodities, both on the market and at household levels. Even though evidence of multitoxin occurrence in some food commodities such as maize and other staple foods exist, available published research focuses only on Aspergillus and Fusarium mycotoxins, namely aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON), trichothecenes, fumonisins, and zearalenone (ZEA). Occurrence of mycotoxins in the food chain has been mainly associated with poor agricultural practices. Analysis of mycotoxins has been done mainly using chromatographic and immunological methods. Zimbabwe has adopted European standards, but the legislation is quite flexible, with testing for mycotoxin contamination in food commodities being done voluntarily or upon request. Therefore, the country needs to tighten its legislation as well as adopt stricter standards that will improve the food safety and security of the masses.

Zearalenone Changes the Diversity and Composition of Caecum Microbiota in Weaned Rabbit

“…Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungal genera that are toxic, carcinogenic, and/or teratogenic, resulting in significant adverse effects food safety and public health [ 10 , 11 ]. Among the mycotoxins, zearalenone (ZEA, also known as F-2 toxin), a nonsteroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by various Fusarium species [ 12 ], is considered as a common contaminant of food and feedstuffs [ 13 ].…”

A Study of Aflatoxin on Sperm Cell Quality for Elderly People

“…In this stage bears center the related works of this investigations work. Mycotoxins are a heterogeneous gathering of little sub-atomic weight harmful contagious product with the capacity to reason issue in people and different vertebrates [1][2][3]. They are omnipresent and inescapable hazardous vendors [4] originate in practically a wide range of nourishments, alongside oats [5] and wheat subordinates [6], creature [7] and dairy [8] stock, organic products [9], and even wine [10,11].…”

Characteristics, Occurrence, Detection and Detoxification of Aflatoxins in Foods and Feeds

“…Food safety is currently a priority in the processes of the production, processing and distribution of food products. Micro-fungi such as Penicillium, Fusarium and Aspergillus that grow on foods and feeds when conditions are suitable, are able to release secondary metabolites (mycotoxins) that endanger the health of humans and animals after being consumed [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that approximately 4.5 billion people are chronically exposed to mycotoxins [32].…”