Occurrence of mycotoxins in farm-stored wheat in Ethiopia

Abstract

In recent years, food safety has become an integral component of ensuring food security. Mycotoxin development in staple cereals is a principal threat to realizing food safety in developing countries. With the objective to investigate incidences and levels of mycotoxins in farm-stored wheat from major growing districts of Ethiopia, a study was conducted based on 179 samples collected from six districts: Wenberma, Merawi, Ofla, Hetosa, Gedeb, and Lemo. Total aflatoxins (AFT), Ochratoxin A (OTA), total fumonisins (FUM), and deoxynivalenol (DON) were determined using lateral flow immunoassays. Results indicated that the most common method used by farmers for storing wheat was polypropylene bag (92.2%, n=179). Incidences of AFT, OTA, FUM, and DON were 60.3%, 20.1%, 16.2%, and 9.5%, respectively. Levels in positive samples ranged from 2.5 µg/kg to 16.7 µg/kg for AFT, 2.1 µg/kg to 148.8 µg/kg for OTA, 0.33 mg/kg to 0.71 mg/kg for FUM, and 0.35 mg/kg to 1.14 mg/kg for DON. Age of wheat grains after harvest had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the incidence of AFT. Less AFT incidence was observed in samples aged 3 months than in the older ones. None of the wheat samples exceeded the 20 µg/kg maximum level set for AFT by the FDA of the USA. However, 50.8% (n=179) exceeded the EU maximum level set at 4 µg/kg for AFT in cereals. Ochratoxin A (OTA) levels in 4.5% (n=179) of wheat samples exceeded the 5 µg/kg maximum level set by the EU for unprocessed cereals. Deoxynivalenol levels in 3.4% (n=179) of wheat samples exceeded the 0.75 mg/kg maximum level set by the EU. Besides, co-occurrences of mycotoxins were observed, and the binary co-occurrences of AFT-OTA (7.8%, n=179) and AFT-FUM (7.3%, n=179) were the dominant ones. The result of the present investigation underscores the occurrence of mycotoxins in farm-stored wheat in Ethiopia. Appropriate measures need to be taken to enable farmers to use improved grain storage technologies such as the use of multi-layer hermetic bags, which are capable of protecting wheat from physical and biological factors that lead to mycotoxin formation.

Microbiological Safety and Quality Assessment of Maize (Zea mays L) Produced and Stocked from Rural Conditions in Côte D’ivoire

“…These results are in agreement with the work carried out by Sangare-Tigori et al [38] who reported a high level of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A contamination on maize from the Abidjan markets with concentrations ranging from <1.5 µg/kg to 20 µg/kg. Substantially equal results were also reported by Worku et al [39]. These authors detected concentrations between 6.3 -150 µg/kg and 2 -186.5 µg/kg for total aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in maize samples stored in five producing regions of Ethiopia.…”

Aflatoxin exposure among lactating women in southern Ethiopia

“…A study in Gedeo zone, southern Ethiopia, that tested 150 maize samples from various sources including local markets and flour mills found that all the samples were contaminated beyond the safety level set by the EU (Chauhan et al., 2016). According to Worku and his colleagues, aflatoxin was detected in all stored maize samples collected from three regionals states of Ethiopia (Worku et al., 2019). Ayalew et al (2006) detected AFB 1 in 8.8% of the barley, sorghum, teff, and wheat samples collected from different parts of Ethiopia (Ayalew et al, 2006).…”

Mycotoxins in Poultry Feed and Feed Ingredients from Sub-Saharan Africa and Their Impact on the Production of Broiler and Layer Chickens: A Review

“…In feed ingredients, over 70% of samples from Kenya [10], Nigeria [8], and Ethiopia [23] were contaminated, with FBs at maximum levels of 11,831 µg/kg. However, less than 40% of maize samples from Ethiopia [23,29] and Tanzania [27] had detectable FBs but at levels up to 62,000 µg/kg. Unlike maize, peanuts and peanut products are not frequently contaminated with FBs, and less than half of samples from Nigeria [8,32] and Benin [28] contained FBs (max: 910 µg/kg).…”