Feed-Based Multi-Mycotoxin Occurrence in Smallholder Dairy Farming Systems of South Africa: The Case of Limpopo and Free State

Changwa, Rumbidzai; Boevre, Marthe De; Saeger, Sarah De; Njobeh, Patrick Berka

doi:10.3390/toxins13020166

Cited by 9 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 44 publications

(75 reference statements)

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“…It is known that the growth of filamentous fungi on fodder can cause problems related to the deterioration or contamination by mycotoxins. From this point of view, despite the mycological and mycotoxicological state of the forage, it is considered very important for risk assessment throughout the food chain ( 3 , 5 ), there are few studies describing these aspects on hay ( 6 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungal Contamination and Aflatoxin B1 Detected in Hay for Dairy Cows in South Italy

et al. 2021

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The growth of filamentous fungi on fodder is recognized as responsible for fungal deterioration and mycotoxin contamination of the plant mass leads to economic losses in the dairy cow production system. Mycotoxin contamination has significant implications for human and animal health and is one of the major concerns in the food and feed chain. This research provides an insight into the variety of viable molds (i.e., filamentous microfungi) that can be isolated from hay produced in South Italy and destined to dairy cows. On different lots of hay (n = 55) collected from 20 dairy farms, a total of 33 different fungal species were identified. The most representative was Cladosporium cladosporioides (n = 46, 84%) followed by Alternaria alternata (n = 25, 45%), and Rhizopus stolonifer (n = 24, 44%). The species most closely related to aflatoxin (AF) contamination, Aspergillus flavus, was often isolated (n = 11, 20%). Regarding AF detection, all the hay samples were found to be scarcely contaminated by AFB1 and showed values from 0.0020 to 0.0077 mg/kg, below the limits established by European Union (EU legislation) (0.02 mg/kg). None of the samples were positive for Aspergillia and tested for AFB1 showed results exceeding established limits. Additionally, hay with moisture between 15.0 and 19.2% or crude ash on dry matter content ranging from 14.0 to 15.5% reported an increased presence of AFB1 (p < 0.05) compared to the other samples. All the analyzed hay samples, besides the presence of molds, can be considered safe for the presence of AFB1. Prevention of mold spoilage is mandatory to reduce the exposure of humans and animals to mycotoxins.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungal Contamination and Aflatoxin B1 Detected in Hay for Dairy Cows in South Italy

et al. 2021

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“…Data on current mycotoxin threats in maize value chains in sub-Saharan Africa are rare and rather unbalanced between countries. Important research groups have published relevant datasets for countries such as Benin [5], Cameroon [5], Congo [3,8], Kenya [17,18], Mali [5], Nigeria [1,5,19], and South Africa [20]. For other countries identified by FAO statistics as growing maize as a major staple or feed crop on a large scale, e.g., Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, such datasets are not to be found.…”

Section: Figure 1 (A)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mycotoxins are defined as natural products with low molecular weight, produced as secondary metabolites by filamentous fungi. They are toxic to vertebrates in low concentrations and differ widely in biosynthetic origin, chemical structure, and toxicity [7,17,18,20,26,29,30]. The symptoms of mycotoxin poisoning depend on the type and amount of mycotoxin, duration of exposure, and the age, sex, health, and nutritional status of the victim [7,18].…”

Section: Mycotoxinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How Maize Seed Systems Can Contribute to the Control of Mycotoxigenic Fungal Infection: A Perspective

Biemond

Stomph²,

Kumar

et al. 2021

Agronomy

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Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi on agricultural produce. Mycotoxins can be cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, and teratogenic, and they are persistent threats to human and animal health. Consumption of mycotoxin-contaminated maize can cause cancer and even sudden death. Health hazards can also occur from consuming products from animals fed with mycotoxin-contaminated feed or forage. The main mode of spread of mycotoxigenic fungi is through air-borne spores originating from soil or plant debris, although some fungi can also spread through infected seed-to-seedling transmission, ultimately followed by contamination of the harvestable product. This perspective assesses opportunities to prevent mycotoxigenic fungal infection in maize seeds produced for sowing as an important starting point of crop contamination. A case study of Nigeria showed infection in all tested farmer-produced, seed company, and foundation seed samples. A schematic overview of the formal and informal seed systems is presented to analyze their contribution to fungal infection and mycotoxin contamination in the maize value chain, as well as to set criteria for successful control. We recommend an integrated approach to control mycotoxigenic fungal infection, including resistant varieties and other control methods during seed production, grain production, and grain storage, with an important role in maintaining seed health.

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“…According to developmental data from the World Bank, South Africa’s rural population accounts for about 33% of the total population [ 1 ]. Small-scale farming has long been recognised by South African policymakers and stakeholders as the means through which poverty alleviation and rural development can be achieved [ 2 , 3 ]. In South Africa, about 85% of maize is cultivated in the commercial sector [ 4 ], whereas roughly 15% comes from the subsistence farming sector.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Underreported Human Exposure to Mycotoxins: The Case of South Africa

Nji

Babalola

Nleya

et al. 2022

Foods

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South Africa (SA) is a leading exporter of maize in Africa. The commercial maize farming sector contributes to about 85% of the overall maize produced. More than 33% of South Africa’s population live in rural settlements, and their livelihoods depend entirely on subsistence farming. The subsistence farming system promotes fungal growth and mycotoxin production. This review aims to investigate the exposure levels of the rural population of South Africa to dietary mycotoxins contrary to several reports issued concerning the safety of South African maize. A systematic search was conducted using Google Scholar. Maize is a staple food in South Africa and consumption rates in rural and urban communities are different, for instance, intake may be 1–2 kg/person/day and 400 g/person/day, respectively. Commercial and subsistence maize farming techniques are different. There exist differences influencing the composition of mycotoxins in food commodities from both sectors. Depending on the levels of contamination, dietary exposure of South Africans to mycotoxins is evident in the high levels of fumonisins (FBs) that have been detected in SA home-grown maize. Other potential sources of exposure to mycotoxins, such as carryover effects from animal products and processed foods, were reviewed. The combined effects between FBs and aflatoxins (AFs) have been reported in humans/animals and should not be ignored, as sporadic breakouts of aflatoxicosis have been reported in South Africa. These reports are not a true representation of the entire country as reports from the subsistence-farming rural communities show high incidence of maize contaminated with both AFs and FBs. While commercial farmers and exporters have all the resources needed to perform laboratory analyses of maize products, the greater challenge in combatting mycotoxin exposure is encountered in rural communities with predominantly subsistence farming systems, where conventional food surveillance is lacking.

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Feed-Based Multi-Mycotoxin Occurrence in Smallholder Dairy Farming Systems of South Africa: The Case of Limpopo and Free State

Cited by 9 publications

References 44 publications

Fungal Contamination and Aflatoxin B1 Detected in Hay for Dairy Cows in South Italy

Fungal Contamination and Aflatoxin B1 Detected in Hay for Dairy Cows in South Italy

How Maize Seed Systems Can Contribute to the Control of Mycotoxigenic Fungal Infection: A Perspective

Underreported Human Exposure to Mycotoxins: The Case of South Africa

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