Search

Hermetic grain storage bags are an airtight technology that protects stored grain from environmental factors, pests, and pathogens, with proven feasibility for smallholder farmer use. We examined the determinants and barriers to the use of these bags by smallholder farmers in Malawi and found that 83% of farmers were aware of hermetic bags for grain storage, but only 11–20% had ever used them, with half of the farmers who used the bags receiving them through donations. Furthermore, only 7.2% of farmers used the bags more than once. There was no association between their receipt of donated bags and their continued use and purchase of additional bags. There were, however, strong correlations between use of hermetic bags and the age of the head of household, distance to farmer groups' meeting points, household size, and participation in a CIP-sponsored project. Focus group discussions identified key barriers to adopting hermetic bags, including local unavailability, perceived high cost, limited knowledge of the technology, low yields, and misconceptions about the utility of the bags. Thus, while donations play a central role in introducing hermetic bags, donations alone are insufficient in ensuring their long-term adoption. Addressing the identified barriers through improved availability, reduced costs, local manufacturing, and policy interventions such as microfinancing options and better distribution networks are essential to increasing the uptake of hermetic bags by smallholder farmers in Malawi and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable school feeding programs (SFPs) in sub-Saharan Africa play a vital role in addressing malnutrition and poor educational outcomes among children. It is critical to contextualize SFPs to local needs and resources, while retaining the twin universal goals of alleviating hunger and promoting education, and the associated strengthening of health, nutrition and social protection. The effective implementation and continuity of such programs, however, present challenges. Key hurdles to establishing and maintaining effective SFPs in sub-Saharan Africa were assessed, as well as strategies to address these challenges. We searched three databases for articles published between 2012 and 2023 with combinations of the keywords: "school feeding," "school meals," "sustainability," "sustainable," and "long-term." Of >25,000 identified articles, 21 focused on quantitative and qualitative evaluations of sustainability in primary school SFPs with children aged 6–14. Themes discussed in these articles fall into four broad areas: policy, operations, community involvement and ancillary activities. Successful SFPs in sub-Saharan Africa differ substantively from those in higher income countries. Home grown SFPs are a common route to follow to transition from external donor support, and increase community involvement. The SMP+ meal planner from the World Food Program is widely used to develop nutritious, acceptable meals based on locally available foodstuffs. School gardens and means to access sufficient fuel, usually firewood, for cooking are important concerns in sub-Saharan Africa, but are not usually a concern in higher income countries. By utilizing locally sourced foods and involving students in school gardens and meal planning activities, more comprehensive nutrition education can occur and students can better understand ways to utilize the food available to their household. In conclusion, we provide target areas for policymakers and practitioners to address when designing SFPs that can be sustained for the long term in sub-Saharan Africa and other low and middle-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Considering the nutritional value and adaptability of quinoa, integrating it into African diets could enhance food and nutrition security, contingent on the acceptability of quinoa‐based foods. This study therefore determined consumer acceptability of six stiff porridge (nsima) samples, their sensory profiles, and their emotion profiles. The samples comprised controls made from whole corn flour, dehulled corn flour, and soaked, dehulled corn flour and from 1:1 blends of quinoa and each corn flour type. RESULTS: Despite quinoa being unfamiliar, none of the stiff porridge samples prepared using 1:1 blend of quinoa and corn flour was disliked (liking score of ≤4 on a 9‐point hedonic scale). Sensory properties and emotions both had significant (P < 0.05) effects on consumer acceptability. When samples were perceived to be bitter, sticky, and thick, there was an overall mean reduction in liking of 2.3, 1.0, and 0.3, respectively. With regard to emotions, the highest positive mean impact of 1.6 was associated with feeling satisfied followed by being happy and nostalgic (1.4). The sensory and emotion profiles of nsima prepared using whole corn flour were like those of quinoa‐based nsima samples. However, profiles of nsima samples from dehulled corn, and soaked dehulled corn flour, respectively, were considered ideal. CONCLUSION: Quinoa‐based nsima can be adopted easily by the current consumers of whole corn flour nsima in Malawi and possibly in other African countries with similar dietary inclinations. However, there is a need to find effective and feasible methods of removing saponin from quinoa to maximize acceptability of the resulting quinoa‐based nsima. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The successful translation of biofortified orange maize (BOM) to a staple household food is dependent on farmers' ability to cultivate and subsequently utilize it. In this study, we assessed farmers' allocation of their land to the cultivation of BOM and conventional white maize (CWM) varieties in districts where the AFIKEPO Nutrition Program is implemented in Malawi. The results showed that farmers were skeptical of allocating more land to the cultivation of BOM. CWM was allocated significantly more land (1.75 ± 0.51 acres) than BOM (1.12 ± 0.32 acres) (p < 0.001) in all districts. More farmers (87.9%) allocated less than 1 acre to BOM cultivation. The cost of seeds did not explain the preference for CWM, as the price of seeds in Malawi Kwacha was similar for both maize types (p = 0.742). Consequently, the average number of bags (50 kg maize grains/bag) harvested was significantly lower (mean: 6.48 ± 8.27 bags; median: 4 bags) for BOM than for CWM (mean: 23.11 ± 20.54 bags; median: 17 bags). Interestingly, BOM was found to be more resistant to weevils during post-harvest storage, suggesting the potential for improved food and nutrition security for households. The knowledge of high grain resistance to weevils did not influence farmers to cultivate more BOM. This has the potential to negatively affect maize biofortification as an effective strategy to alleviate vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in developing countries. Farmers should be sensitized to identify the benefits of BOM so that they are willing to purchase seeds and grow BOM on a larger scale. Coupled with its higher resistance to storage weevils, superior taste, and nutrient content, the continued cultivation and consumption of BOM has the potential to contribute to the achievement of both food and nutrition security within communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to food hygiene among mothers from Malawi's rural communities against the WHO Five Keys to Safer Food (WHO-FKSF) and good pre-and post-harvest practices (GPPHPs) as reference points. Five hundred twenty-two mothers from six rural communities across two districts were selected for the survey. The results indicated limited knowledge among participating mothers regarding managing food hazards, including mycotoxins, bacteria, viruses, and parasites (BVPs). A significant proportion (89.5%) of women reported inconsistent or no handwashing with soap after using the toilet. In addition, 48.7% failed to plant with the first good rains, 38.7% neglected to check for moldy cobs during harvesting, 57.4% dried maize on bare soil, and 99.2% bought maize with noticeable mold. Higher education, knowledge, and positive attitudes were associated with enhanced BVP control practices, while larger households and positive attitudes were linked to improved mold/mycotoxin management (p < 0.05). Mothers showed lower (p < 0.05) knowledge and attitude levels regarding molds than BVPs but demonstrated relatively better practices for mold control. A comprehensive education program based on the WHO Five Keys to Safer Foods, tailored to local socio-cultural norms and incorporating mold and mycotoxin management guidelines, is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulations on nutrition and health claims are useful to protect consumers from deceptive practices of unscrupulous food manufacturers. Consumer protection is best achieved when relevant regulations are available and enforced. So far, no study has analyzed the robustness of regulations on nutrition and health claims in Malawi. In the present study, Malawi's regulation was compared with Codex Alimentarius as well as European, U.S American, and the Republic of South Africa's (RSA) regulations on nutrition and health claims. The study revealed that Malawi does not have regulations or guidelines on health claims and therefore, any health claim can be made. Likewise, Malawi's regulation on nutrition claims was found to be the least demanding and less elaborate. Out of 11 nutrition claims related requirements, the Malawi regulation satisfied only 3. The lack of comprehensive nutrition and health claims regulations in Malawi may give an opportunity to dishonest manufacturers to mislead and deceive consumers. False claims can also derail government's efforts towards addressing some nutrient deficiencies through food fortification programs. Currently, it is difficult to effectively regulate nutrition and health claims in Malawi. Therefore, the findings are a wake-up call for Malawi and other countries that may be in a similar situation to take the necessary remedial actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global food system's reliance on a few species threatens food and nutritional security. Species diversification, including indigenous species, is a viable option to address this issue. Diversity enhances food systems' resilience against climatic and economic shocks. It offers resources for improved breeds and allows farmers to mitigate risks. However, successful diversification demands collaboration among farmers, researchers, academics, professionals, retailers, consumers, and policymakers. This review analyzes the role of crop species diversity in food system transformation, focusing on monoculture vulnerabilities, diversification benefits, indigenous species' role in nutrition and food security, and the importance of integrated policies and multi‐stakeholder collaborations. We advocate for interdisciplinary research, participatory approaches, and supportive policies to foster diverse, resilient food systems that ensure food security, biodiversity conservation, and enhanced social well‐being amidst global challenges. While acknowledging the importance of diversity in animal species for food security, the focus of this review is on crop species diversity and its potential to transform food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postharvest management is critical to attaining household food, nutrition, and income security. Hermetic grain storage bags offer an effective pesticide‐free way to protect stored grain against fungal and insect infestation. We evaluated articles indexed in the Web of Science that included experiments comparing the storage efficacy of conventional and hermetic storage bags based on grain germination rate, insect infestation, physical damage, mycotoxin contamination, and changes in weight and moisture content. Compared with grain stored in hermetic bags, grain stored in conventional bags lost 3.6‐fold more seed viability, contained 42‐fold more insects, had 11‐fold more physical damage, and lost 23‐fold more grain weight, while grain moisture levels were similar for both hermetic and conventional storage bags. Mycotoxin contamination levels were not as frequently assessed. Levels could be low in grain stored in both types of bags, or levels could be low in hermetic bags and significantly higher in conventional bags. The improved properties of grain stored in hermetic bags can increase food security and household income by providing safe storage options for maintaining seed germinability, and for consumption and/or sale when food supplies are high, or when prices are low. Hermetic bags are economically feasible for use by subsistence farmers in Sub‐Saharan Africa for grain for household consumption and for carrying‐over seed for planting in the next season. Additional studies are needed to verify the mycotoxin contamination results and to determine if there are differences in functional food characteristics, e.g. flavor and cooking properties, that have not been as comprehensively studied. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports levels of mycotoxins in sorghum from Niger State, Nigeria, and provides a comprehensive assessment of their potential health risks by combining mycotoxin levels and dietary exposure assessment. A total of 240 samples of red and white sorghum were collected from both stores and markets across four microclimatic zones. Fungal species were identified using a dilution plate method. Aflatoxins (AFs), deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, and ochratoxin (OTA) were quantified using HPLC, whereas cyclopiazonic acid, fumonisins (FUMs) and zearalenone were quantified using ELISA. A. flavus and A. fumigatus were dominant fungal species followed by F. verticilloides, A. oryzae and P. verrucosum. Aflatoxins (mean: 29.97 µg/kg) were detected in all samples, whereas OTA (mean: 37.5 µg/kg) and FUMs (mean: 3269.8 µg/kg) were detected in 72% and 50% of the samples, respectively. Mycotoxins frequently co-occurred in binary mixtures of AFs + OTA and AFs + FUMs. Dietary exposure estimates were highest for FUMs at 230% of TDI and margin of exposures (MOEs) for both AFs and OTA (<10,000) indicating a potential risk associated with combined exposure to AFs and OTA. The Risk of hepatocellular carcinoma cases (HCC/year) attributable to AFs and OTA exposure from sorghum was estimated to be 5.99 × 105 and 0.24 × 105 cases for HBsAg + individuals based on 13.6% HBV incidence. Similarly, the HCC/year for AFs and OTA were assessed to be 3.59 × 105 and 0.14 × 105 at an 8.1% prevalence rate. Therefore, the results of this study demonstrate the high prevalence and dietary exposure to mycotoxins through sorghum consumption, raising public health and trade concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports onthe effect of various production steps on levels of aflatoxins during preparation of thobwa, a traditional maize‐based fermented non‐alcoholic beverage, brewed across Malawi. The effect of boiling, fermentation and their interaction on the level of aflatoxins, the trends of aflatoxin reduction during brewing, and the distribution of aflatoxins between the solid and liquid phases of the beverage were studied using VICAM AflaTest immunoaffinity fluorometric assay. Fermenting and boiling thobwa pre‐mix‐, with initial aflatoxin content of 45–183 μg/kg, resulted in aflatoxin reduction of 47% (13–61 μg/kg) on average. Fermentation and boiling contributed about 20 and 33% aflatoxin reduction, respectively, but without interactive effect between the two factors. Fermenting the thobwa for 24 h led to further reduction of aflatoxins to about 37% of the initial content, and remainedconstant for up to 8 days. Thobwa is a popular beverage in Malawi which is consumed in large quantities by all gender categories including infants, therefore the presence of aflatoxins may constitute a significant health risk factor. This study highlights the need to use raw materials with low levels of aflatoxins for production of maize‐based non‐alcoholic beverages to ensure consumer safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports levels of aflatoxin and fumonisin in maize samples (n = 1294) from all agroecological zones (AEZs) in Malawi. Most maize samples (> 75%) were contaminated with aflatoxins and 45% with fumonisins, which co-occurred in 38% of the samples. Total aflatoxins varied across the AEZs, according to mean annual temperature (P < 0.05) of the AEZs. Samples from the lower Shire AEZ (median = 20.8 µg/kg) had higher levels of aflatoxins (P < 0.05) than those from the other AEZs (median = 3.0 µg/kg). Additionally, the majority (75%) of the positive samples from the lower Shire AEZ had aflatoxin levels exceeding the EU regulatory limit (4 µg/kg), whereas 25%, 37%, and 39% of positive samples exceeded the threshold in the mid-elevation, Lake Shore and upper and middle Shire, and highlands AEZs, respectively. The lower Shire AEZ is characterised by higher mean temperatures throughout the year and low erratic rainfall. However, total fumonisins did not show significant variation across AEZs, but all positive samples exceeded 150 µg/kg, required for tolerable daily intake of 1.0 µg/kg body weight per day, established by the European Food Safety Authority Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain. Therefore, results of this study suggest that contamination of maize with aflatoxin responds to micro-climate more than with fumonisins. In addition, the data will be useful to public health policy-makers and stakeholders to articulate and implement monitoring and mitigation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticide use has grown rapidly in West Africa over the past decades. Regulatory capacity has not kept pace with the rapid proliferation of pesticide products and on-farm use. As a result, health and environmental impacts from the growing use of pesticides, despite their potential importance to food safety, remain largely unmonitored, underreported, and poorly understood by key stakeholders. This study protocol was the document for conducting a pesticide survey study to identify the most critically emerging pesticides across the Continent of Africa. Multiple countries were selected in this study to represent the north, east, south, and west regions of Africa. Two food commodities, maize and tomato, were chosen to monitor the pesticide level for food safety. This study protocol describes the fieldwork and laboratory work per the standards of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and ISO-17025 and US EPA 860 Residue Chemistry Guidelines but the survey study performed was not considered as a GLP or ISO 17025 study. This is because many steps were not able to be closely monitored per the GLP requirements. This protocol describes the requirements for a pesticide residue study in food collected from local markets. This protocol describes the test commodities, sampling methods, sample transfer/shipping, storage stability, sample analysis, sample disposal, and documentation and record keeping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxin contamination in commonly consumed cereals and nuts may place children at higher risk of stunting and adults at risk of developing liver cancer. This study investigated knowledge on aflatoxins and the level of aflatoxin B1 contamination in commonly consumed cereals and nuts in Malawi. It also included an examination of the proportion of cereals and nuts contaminated above regulatory maximum limits. Aflatoxin contamination in samples was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Less than half of all households knew that consumption of aflatoxin contaminated grain is associated with stunting and lowered immunity. Sorghum samples were the most contaminated and millet the least contaminated. Aflatoxin contamination was highest in southern Malawi and least in northern Malawi. Observed results indicate that this population is at risk of poor health due to lack of knowledge and aflatoxin exposure. Strategies to address contamination should therefore include a comprehensive education campaign to increase knowledge and promote accessible strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports levels of multiple mycotoxins across Nigeria's six agro-ecological zones and corresponding levels of natural anti-fungal phytochemicals present in pearl millet (PM). 220 representative composite samples of PM were collected for mycotoxin analysis using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS), and 24 were randomly selected for determination of metabolites using gas chromatography-high resolution time of flight-mass spectrometry (GC-HRTOF-MS). In total, 15 mycotoxins were detected, all with levels below the European Union (EU) permissible limits and level of aflatoxins only up to 1.34 µg/kg. This is in sharp contrast to high levels of mycotoxins reported in maize samples from the same agroecological zones. Phytochemical analysis of the same samples identified a total of 88 metabolites, 30 of which are known anti-fungal properties from other previously published studies. The most common of these include methyl ester, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and ç-tocopherol. The number of anti-fungal metabolites recovered from each sample ranged from 3 to 17 and varied widely in both number and composition across the agroecological zones. The anti-fungal metabolites may probably make PM less susceptible to fungal proliferation compared to other grains. Hence, it is worth exploring for possible sources of biological control products from PM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to obtain baseline data for heavy metal(loids) concentrations of rice paddy fields to evaluate the impacts of soil metal(loids) concentrations on quality of rice, and to identify sources of metal(loids) pollution of paddy fields in Malawi. In total, 66 soil samples were collected from 22 different smallholder rice farmers' paddy fields (sites) in Malawi. Concentrations of metal(loids) (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), uranium (U), and gallium (Ga)) were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after acid block digestion with a mixture of concentrated nitric acid (70% HNO3) and hydrogen peroxide (30% H₂O₂). Measured soil metal(loids) concentrations were compared with Soil UK CLEA soil metal(loids) guidelines, maximum allowable limits (MAL) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Chinese Environmental Quality Standards (CEQS) for soil metal(loids) concentrations in agricultural soils, and the normally reported soil metal(loids) concentrations in agricultural fields worldwide. Results indicated that mean soil As (2.2 mg As kg−1), Cd (0.044 mg Cd kg−1), Pb (11 mg Pb kg−1), Co (14 ± 6 mg Co kg−1), Mn (601 mg Mn kg−1), U (2.02 mg U kg−1), and Ga (24 mg Ga kg−1) concentrations were at least three times lower than the respective guidelines and MAL recommended by WHO, UK CLEA, and CEQS (20 mg As kg−1, 0.3 mg Cd kg−1, 32 mg Pb kg−1, 50 mg Co kg−1, and 2000 mg Mn kg−1). The values obtained in this study were also within the normally reported metal(loid) concentrations for unpolluted agricultural soils worldwide. However, the mean Cr concentration (78.0 mg Cr kg−1) obtained in this study was higher than that reported for agricultural soils in China (27 ± 5 mg Cr kg−1; range: 22–39 mg Cr kg−1) but was within the normally reported Cr concentrations (1–100 mg Cr kg−1) for unpolluted soils. These findings suggest that metal(loids) concentrations of Malawian rice paddies pose no threat to production to elevated metal(loids) accumulation in rice, and that rice paddies should be safeguarded from contamination. However, further research is required to investigate the impacts of factors such as source of irrigation of water, water management regimes, soil cation exchange capacity, organic manure/composts amendments, and the application of inorganic fertilizers on uptake, transfer, and translocation of soil metal(loids) to various parts of rice plants, even when the soil metal(loids) concentrations are low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the acceptability of porridge from a corn‐common bean flour blend to increase the diversity of complementary foods in Malawi. Porridges prepared using commercial corn–soybean flour (C‐CSB), homemade orange corn–soybean flour (H‐CSB), and orange corn‐common bean flour (CCBB) were evaluated by 101 pairs of mothers and their respective children aged from 6 to 24 months. A home use test (HUT) setup was used in this study, and the flours were given sequentially to participating households following a randomized complete block design. Each sample type was evaluated for 3 days in a row followed by a 1‐day break (washout period) between sample types. Based on aggregate mean scores, all the samples were liked by both the children and their mothers. However, clustering results revealed two distinct consumer segments for mothers as well as for children. Most of the mothers (59.4% in cluster 1) liked all the samples, while the minority (cluster 2) were neutral (neither like nor dislike) regarding the H‐CSB porridge. Likewise, most children (66.3% in cluster 2) liked all the samples, while the rest in cluster 1 did not like CCBB porridge. Infants (≤12 months) and those from food‐insecure households, respectively, were 5.42 and 6.75 times more likely to like the CCBB porridge than their counterparts. The study has demonstrated the potential of introducing CCBB complementary porridge in Malawi and possibly in other countries with similar food preferences and socioeconomic stature. Practical Application: The study provides a solution to the limited diversity of complementary foods in sub‐Saharan Africa and Malawi in particular. The findings can help food scientists, nutritionists, marketers, and policymakers develop strategies for promoting the consumption of orange corn‐common bean porridge. Furthermore, the findings can inform decisions on commercializing orange corn‐common bean flour by flour processors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a total of 112 raw milk samples were collected between October and December of 2018 from dairy farming households in Malawi and analyzed for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) using VICAM aflatest fluorometry procedure. These data together with the consumption data obtained through a milk consumption frequency questionnaire were used for the calculation of AFM1 exposure and its association with hepatocarcinoma (HCC) risk in dairy farming population. Average daily milk intake by children and adults were approximately 300 ± 0.07 and 541.7 ± 0.14 mL, respectively. All raw milk samples tested positive to AFM1 averaging 0.551 μg/L. Probable mean daily exposure to AFM1 for adults was 4.98 ± 7.25 ng/kg BW/day almost half that of children (8.28 ± 11.82 ng/kg BW/day). Estimated risk of AFM1-induced HCC associated with consumption of milk among children and adults were 0.038 and 0.023 cases per 100,000 individuals per year, respectively. Although the results of this investigation suggest a low risk of HCC, other negative health effects of AFM1 justify its continuous monitoring and update of the risk assessment. This work presents the first insight in the occurrence of AFM1 in cow milk in Malawi as well as associated AFM1 exposure in dairy farming population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The Ministry of Health in Malawi has scaled‐up antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV infection. However, the majority of Malawians heavily depend on maize‐based stiff porridge (nsima), a protein‐deficient staple, a practice that exacerbates wasting and ultimately compromises the success of ART programming. This pilot study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of utilising soybean‐enriched nsima as a strategy for managing HIV‐related wasting among resource‐poor people. Methods: A before and after designed study involving 25 wasted (<18.5 BMI (body mass index)) to normal (18.5–24.9 BMI) HIV‐positive rural women (21–40 years) taking ART and provided with soybean–maize flour (20 kg/month for 3 months) prepared from hydrothermally treated soybeans and maize in the ratio of 1:4 (wt/wt). Anthropometry was performed at baseline and every month for the 3‐month study period. Paired sample t‐tests were used to test for changes in body mass and BMI between baseline and the subsequent months. Results: Statistically significant (P < 0.001) cumulative mean weight gain for the first, second and third month of the study were 1.6, 2.1 and 2.9 kg, respectively. The number of participants with low BMI reduced from 6/25 at baseline to 2/25 after 3 months, and the mean BMI improved from 19.3 to 21.1 kg/m2. Conclusions: Nsima prepared from a blend of maize and hydrothermally treated soybeans could feasibly be used to prevent and manage wasting among resource‐poor people living with HIV/AIDS in sub‐Saharan Africa who rely on maize as a major staple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thriving black-market economy of scam scholarly publishing, typically referred to as 'predatory publishing,' threatens the quality of scientific literature globally. The scammers publish research with minimal or no peer review and are motivated by article processing charges and not the advancement of scholarship. Authors involved in this scam are either duped or willingly taking advantage of the low rejection rates and quick publication process. Geographic analysis of the origin of predatory journal articles indicates that they predominantly come from developing countries. Consequently, most universities in developing countries operate blacklists of deceptive journals to deter faculty from submitting to predatory publishers. The present article discusses blacklisting and, conversely, whitelisting of legitimate journals as options of deterrence. Specifically, the article provides a critical evaluation of the two approaches by explaining how they work and comparing their pros and cons to inform a decision about which is the better deterrent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cahiers Agriculture is the property of EDP Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aflatoxin-lysine (AFB1-lys) adduct levels in blood samples collected from 230 individuals living in three districts of Malawi (Kasungu, Mchinji, and Nkhotakota) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) levels in groundnut and maize samples collected from their respective homesteads were determined using indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (IC-ELISA) methods. AFB1-lys adducts were detected in 67% of blood samples, with a mean concentration of 20.5 ± 23.4 pg/mg of albumin. AFB1 was detected in 91% of groundnut samples and in 70% of maize samples, with mean AFB1 levels of 52.4 and 16.3 μg/kg, respectively. All participants of this study reported consuming maize on a daily basis and consuming groundnuts regularly (mean consumption frequency per week: 3.2 ± 1.7). According to regression analysis, a frequency of groundnut consumption of more than four times per week, being female, and being a farmer were significant (p < 0.05) contributors to elevated AFB1-lys adduct levels in the blood. This is the first report on AFB1-lys adducts in blood samples of residents in Malawi. The results reinforce the urgent need for interventions, aiming at a reduction of aflatoxin exposure of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the discovery of aflatoxins in the early 1960s, there have been many studies leading to the uncovering of many mycotoxins and the understanding of associated health effects in animals and humans. Consequently, there has been a global increase in the number of countries with mycotoxin regulations in foods. However, many African countries have only regulations for aflatoxins (or a few other mycotoxins) in specific foods, or no regulations at all. This paper critically reviews the challenges thwarting the establishment of mycotoxin regulations and their impacts on human dietary mycotoxin exposure in Africa. Mycotoxin regulatory limits for different countries are compared with mycotoxin tolerable daily intakes established by international food safety bodies taking into account consumption patterns. The agrarian setup, food insecurity, and mycotoxin analytical challenges in African countries are discussed; and more feasible mycotoxin dietary exposure reduction strategies are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Zambia, groundnut products (milled groundnut powder, groundnut kernels) are mostly sold in under-regulated markets. Coupled with the lack of quality enforcement in such markets, consumers may be at risk to aflatoxin exposure. However, the level of aflatoxin contamination in these products is not known. Compared to groundnut kernels, milled groundnut powder obscures visual indicators of aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts such as moldiness, discoloration, insect damage or kernel damage. A survey was therefore conducted from 2012 to 2014, to estimate and compare aflatoxin levels in these products ( n = 202), purchased from markets in important groundnut growing districts and in urban areas. Samples of whole groundnut kernels ( n = 163) and milled groundnut powder ( n = 39) were analysed for aflatoxin B (AFB) by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Results showed substantial AFB contamination levels in both types of groundnut products with maximum AFB levels of 11,100 μg/kg (groundnut kernels) and 3000 μg/kg (milled groundnut powder). However, paired t test analysis showed that AFB contamination levels in milled groundnut powder were not always significantly higher ( P > 0.05) than those in groundnut kernels. Even for products from the same vendor, AFB levels were not consistently higher in milled groundnut powder than in whole groundnut kernels. This suggests that vendors do not systematically sort out whole groundnut kernels of visually poor quality for milling. However, the overall contamination levels of groundnut products with AFB were found to be alarmingly high in all years and locations. Therefore, solutions are needed to reduce aflatoxin levels in such under-regulated markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxin contamination and biodeterioration were examined in 302 samples of dry cowpeas and pigeon peas that were randomly purchased from 9 districts of the Southern Region of Malawi during July and November 2015. Further, the impact of flotation/washing on aflatoxin levels on the pulses was elucidated. Aflatoxin analyses involved immunoaffinity column (IAC) clean-up and HPLC quantification with fluorescence detection (FLD) while legume biodeterioration assessments were done by visual inspection. Aflatoxins were frequently detected in cowpea (24%, max., 66 μg/kg) and pigeon pea (22%, max., 80 μg/kg) samples that were collected in the month of July. Lower aflatoxin incidence of 15% in cowpeas (max., 470 μg/kg) and 14% in pigeon peas (max., 377 μg/kg) was recorded in the November collection. Overall, aflatoxin levels were significantly higher in the pulses that were collected in November. However, there were no significant differences in the total aflatoxin (aflatoxin B (AFB) + AFB + AFG + AFG) levels between the two types of pulses. Remarkably, in 76.2% of the aflatoxin positive cowpea and in 41.7% of the aflatoxin positive pigeon pea samples, aflatoxin G concentration exceeded aflatoxin B Insect damage percentage averaged at 18.1 ± 18.2% (mean ± SD) in the cowpeas and 16.1 ± 19.4% in pigeon peas. Mean discolouration percentage (number of pulses) of the cowpeas and pigeon peas was found to be at 6.7 ± 4.9 and 8.7 ± 6.2%, respectively. Washing and discarding the buoyant fraction was highly efficient in reducing aflatoxin levels; only 5.2 ± 11.1% of the initial aflatoxin level was found in the cleaned samples. In conclusion, cowpeas and pigeon peas sold on the local market in Malawi may constitute a hazard especially if floatation/washing step is skipped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3-year comprehensive analysis of aflatoxin contamination in peanut butter was conducted in Zambia, sub-Saharan Africa. The study analyzed 954 containers of 24 local and imported peanut butter brands collected from shops in Chipata, Mambwe, Petauke, Katete, and Nyimba districts and also in Lusaka from 2012 to 2014. For analysis, a sample included six containers of a single brand, from the same processing batch number and the same shop. Each container was quantitatively analyzed for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in six replicates by using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; thus, aflatoxin contamination level of a given sample was derived from an average of 36 test values. Results showed that 73% of the brands tested in 2012 were contaminated with AFB, levels >20 μg/kg and ranged up to 130 μg/kg. In 2013, 80% of the brands were contaminated with AFB1 levels >20 μg/kg and ranged up to 10,740 μg/kg. Compared with brand data from 2012 and 2013, fewer brands in 2014, i.e., 53%, had aflatoxin B, levels >20 μg/kg and ranged up to 1,000 μg/kg. Of the eight brands tested repeatedly across the 3-year period, none consistently averaged ≤20 μg/kg. Our survey clearly demonstrates the regular occurrence of high levels of AF B1 in peanut butter in Zambia. Considering that some of the brands tested originated from neighboring countries such as Malawi, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, the current findings provide a sub-Saharan regional perspective regarding the safety of peanut butter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of the public in Malawi on issues related to molds in foodstuffs. A survey involving structured questionnaire was conducted with 805 respondents from seven districts of Malawi. Descriptive statistics, t tests, and analyses of variance were calculated. A majority of respondents recognized that molds were dangerous to human health (88 %); however, about 50 % of respondents were not informed that mold toxins are thermally stable and that they are not destroyable by normal cooking processes. About 33 % of the respondents asserted that they buy moldy maize, while approximately 20 % of respondents reported that they consume moldy fruits having discarded moldy fraction. There were significant differences in knowledge scores among different demographic groups. Females had significantly ( p < 0.05) lower knowledge scores on issues related to molds in foods. Additionally, the respondent's location had a significant effect. However, respondent's education had subtle effect on knowledge score and the overall population's knowledge score was generally low (3.55 ± 1.32 score out of 9). Results of the study underline the need to raise public's knowledge about health risks associated with spoilage molds in food and prevention and management options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize is one of the major staple foods of Sub-Saharan Africa and is consumed as whole or dehulled grain. In this region, where the environmental conditions favour fungal growth and mycotoxin production, the majority of the population are subsistence consumers who, unfortunately, have little or no access to mycotoxin testing of their food. In an attempt to develop feasible reduction strategies in dietary mycotoxin exposure of the population, a three-factorial design experiment was conducted to examine and compare the efficacy of hand sorting, flotation, dehulling and combinations thereof in removing naturally occurring aflatoxins, fumonisins, nivalenol, deoxynivalenol and alternariol in shelled white maize. Regression analysis was used to determine the significant (p < 0.05) process variables on the removal of mycotoxins from the maize. Results from this experiment indicated that hand sorting had the greatest effect on mycotoxin removal, while flotation yielded the least effect. In particular hand sorting left < 6% of aflatoxin B1 and < 5% of fumonisin B1. Based on these results, hand sorting of maize grains is being recommended as a last line of defence against mycotoxin exposure among subsistence consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an unusual aflatoxin profile in maize and groundnuts from Malawi, with aflatoxin G found routinely at equal or even higher levels than aflatoxin B. Aflatoxin B (AFB) ratio in a contaminated sample is generally greater than 50 % of total aflatoxin (sum of aflatoxin B, B, G, and G). In Malawi, the aflatoxin occurrence ratios were determined by examining LC-MS/MS and HPLC fluorescence detection (FLD) data of 156 naturally contaminated raw maize and 80 groundnut samples collected in 2011 and 2012. Results showed that natural aflatoxin occurrence ratio differed. In 47 % of the samples, the concentration of AFG was higher than that of AFB. The mean concentration percentages of AFB/AFB/AFG/AFG in reference to total aflatoxins were found to be 47:5:43:5 %, respectively. The AFG and AFB 50/50 trend was observed in maize and groundnuts and was consistent for samples collected in both years. If the AFB measurement was used to check compliance of total aflatoxin regulatory limit set at 10, 20, 100, and 200 μg/kg with an assumption that AFB ≥ 50 % of the total aflatoxin content, 8, 13, 24, and 26 % false negative rates would have occurred respectively. It is therefore important for legislation to consider total aflatoxins rather than AFB1 alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize-based stiff porridge, a starchy protein-deficient staple food, dominates among the populations in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Unfortunately, this is often consumed along with leafy vegetables since the majority of the population in this region lack resources for the purchase of high protein animal source foods, a situation that exacerbates protein-energy malnutrition. Considering this, the current study evaluated the effect of enriching maize-based stiff porridge with flour made from hydrothermally treated soybeans on consumer acceptability. A total of nine experimental flours were prepared from maize and maize-soybean mixtures following a 32 factorial design involving two factors, namely maize flour type (whole maize, non-soaked dehulled maize, and soaked dehulled maize) and soybean flour proportion (0%, 20%, and 30%). A total of 125 adult consumers from a rural setting in Malawi evaluated maize-based stiff porridges made thereof using a 7-point hedonic scale. Subsequently, the participants were asked to guess an ingredient that was added to some of the test samples. The 10% and 20% soybean-enriched maize-based stiff porridges scored 5/7 and above, with some being statistically similar to plain maize-based stiff porridges. No participant recognized that soybeans were incorporated into the maize-based stiff porridges. The study has clearly demonstrated the potential of enriching maize-based stiff porridge with hydrothermally treated soybeans without compromising consumer acceptability. This innovation could significantly contribute towards reducing the burden of energy-protein under-nutrition in SSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]