aflatoxin

I am just wondering how we can actually buyild partnerships and identify areas for collaboration on strategy to really tackle aftlatoxin risk in Africa? Can PACA potentially be used as a convenor of this?

Aflatoxins are a naturally occurring carcinogenic byproduct of common fungi on grains and other crops, particularly maize and groundnuts. They pose a significant public health risk in many tropical developing countries and are also a barrier to the growth of domestic and international commercial markets for food and feed. In recent years the aflatoxin problem has garnered greatly increased attention from both policy and donor communities around the globe.

Aflatoxins, metabolites of the fungus Aspergillus flavus, are potent liver toxins and carcinogens in animals, and may also be human carcinogens. Although aflatoxin contamination in corn is uncommon in Kentucky, occasional incidents do occur and can create significant economic losses for individual producers. Of all the known mycotoxins (toxic substances produced by fungi), aflatoxins in corn and other commodities (milk, peanuts, or cottonmeal, for example) probably generate the most concern when they occur at high levels in marketing channels.

A flatoxins are a group of chemicals produced by certain mold fungi. These fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, can be recognized by olive green or graygreen, respectively, on corn kernels, in the field or in storage (Figure 1). Although aflatoxins are not automatically produced whenever grain becomes moldy, the risk of aflatoxin contamination is greater in damaged, moldy corn than in corn with little mold. Aflatoxins are harmful or fatal to livestock and are considered carcinogenic (cancer-causing) to animals and humans.

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxin produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus. The fungus can be recognized by a gray-green or yellow-green mold growing on corn kernels in the field or in storage (Figure 1). Plant stress due to drought, heat or insect damage during fungus growth usually increases aflatoxin levels. Aflatoxin contamination will reduce feeding value and hinder sales. Because it is extremely poisonous to warm-blooded animals even at relatively low levels, grain handling facilities often check for the presence of the toxin before purchasing corn.

The aflatoxin problem is a cross-cutting issue that is undermining public health and development efforts. Aflatoxins themselves are highly toxic, cancer causing fungal metabolites known to cause immune-system suppression, growth retardation, liver disease, and death in both humans and domestic animals. According to the FAO, 25% of world food crops are affected, and countries that are situated between 40ºN and 40ºS are most at risk

The economic losses associated with aflatoxin are estimated to be large; however, there is a dearth of systematic studies that empirically estimate a) economic losses (in terms of both health and income) for all stakeholders along the value chain, b) economic impact of interventions, and c) socio-economic factors affecting adoption. While there have been a number of scientific studies regarding aflatoxin control options, there has not been subsequent large-scale adoption of risk reducing technologies, particularly in the developing countries.

In 2004, several hundred Kenyans became severely ill, and 125 died, of acute aflatoxicosis: a disease of liver failure associated with consuming extremely high levels of aflatoxin in food (Lewis et al. 2005; Strosnider et al. 2006). Since then, over the last six years, greater global public attention has been drawn to aflatoxin and its associated health risk.

This presentation was made at the Meeting on Aflatoxin Control for Improving Health, Agriculture and Trade in Africa, held in Washington D.C. on January 26, 2011.

This presentation was made at the Meeting on Aflatoxin Control for Improving Health, Agriculture and Trade in Africa, held in Washington D.C. on January 26, 2011.