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The study investigated the incidence of mycobiota, Aspergillus spp metabolites and aflatoxin biosynthesis precursors in 60 samples of seeds and haulms of improved groundnut genotypes in Nigeria. Culturing of the infected seeds was done using the agar plate method and mycobiota identification was done using conventional cultural and microscopy method. The occurrence of Aspergillus toxins, and aflatoxin biosynthesis precursors were evaluated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC- MS/MS). Three identified species and four unidentified species of fungi were isolated from the seeds with Aspergillus niger (47.19%) and A. flavus (17.82%) having higher incidence more than others. The seed samples from ICGX 86024 and ICGX 01276 had the highest and lowest fungal incidence respectively. No aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A or fumonisins were detected in the seeds and haulms samples of the improved groundnut despite the incidence of A. flavus. Fifteen fungal metabolites were found including eight Aspergillus metabolites and seven aflatoxin biosynthesis precursors. From our result, STC which is involved in flatoxin biosynthesis pathway was below limit of detection and thus aflatoxin formation in the groundnuts might be interrupted. This report is foremost in elucidating the aflatoxins biosynthesis precursors in seeds and haulms of improved groundnut varieties in Northern Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey was conducted to ascertain theaflatoxin awareness level among employeesofBabcock University, Nigeria, as a baseline study for understanding the level of aflatoxin awareness within the Nigerian University System. Semi-structured self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data on respondents' socio demographics, knowledge abouthealth/economic impacts of aflatoxins, as well as respondents' perception on potential mitigation strategies against aflatoxin contamination. Although all respondents (n=200) had a minimum of Bachelor's degree, only 64%of them had prior knowledge about aflatoxins, with the majority of aflatoxin-aware respondents coming from science/health related faculties of the university. There was no direct correlation between awareness level and the educational qualification of employees. However, the percentage of unawareness was higher among female respondents, indicating a need to increase awareness levels within this populationthatismore involved domestically with food preparation and preservation. Eighty percent of aflatoxin-aware respondents (n=128) correctly attributed aflatoxin contamination to fungal infestation, but 14% of these responded that theywent ahead to consume fungal infested food after removing the mouldy parts. Aggressive public enlightenment is highly recommended for improving aflatoxin awareness levels across Nigeria, through collaborations among local and international governmental and non-governmental agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of climate change on mycotoxin profile and activity was reviewed. The unprecedented spread and relocation experienced by some regulated mycotoxins on food and feed items were investigated. Aspergillus species and aflatoxin, originally associated with tropical and subtropical climate characteristics of Sub-Saharan Africa are now comfortable guests in temperate zones. The same applies to Fusarium and Penicilium species, earlier thought to be strictly specific to temperate regions of Europe, now encountered in tropical Africa, with their toxins like zearalenone and trichothecenes, particularly in recent surveillance studies. This review is an update on the unstable trend on a global mycotoxin map with reference to the obvious climatic dynamics, having Africa in view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectrum of major and emerging mycotoxins in sesame and soybean grains from the six zones of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria was determined using Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total of 47 samples (24 sesame and 23 soybean were collected from farmers' stores. Seven regulated mycotoxins in sesame and five in soybean including aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin B2 (AFB2) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) were detected. However, concentrations were generally lower than regulatory limits set in the EU for raw grains with the exception of ochratoxin A (OTA) exhibiting a maximum concentration level of 23.1 µg kg-1 in one of the soybean samples. This is the first report concerning the contamination of sesame and soybean in Abuja, FCT-Nigeria with the emerging mycotoxins addressed by recent European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinion papers totalling 10 in number. These include beauvericin (BEA), moniliformin (MON), sterigmatocystin (STE), altertoxin-I (ATX-I), alternariol (AOH), alternariol methylether (AME) though at relatively low µg kg-1 range. This preliminary data indicate that sesame and soybean might be relatively safe commodities in view of the profile of mycotoxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African countries have experienced nonconformance in the levels of pesticides for local consumption and export. Sometimes this leads to rejects and other forms of embarrassment from the importing countries. Economic challenge and lack of awareness heighten the overall cost of interventions in pesticide-related food safety management. For example, not a few of the infractions were a result of incorrect ways of pesticide application. The hazard accompanying chemical pesticide application has left open a window of biological alternatives which this review article seems to explore. The bioalternatives, including green pesticides cancel out the adverse effect of residual chemicals on crops in farm and store and so make it more attractive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several strains of a new aflatoxigenic species of Aspergillus, A. korhogoensis, were isolated in the course of a screening study involving species from section Flavi found contaminating peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) and peanut paste in the Côte d'Ivoire. Based on examination of four isolates, this new species is described using a polyphasic approach. A concatenated alignment comprised of nine genes (ITS, benA, cmdA, mcm7, amdS, rpb1, preB, ppgA, and preA) was subjected to phylogenetic analysis, and resulted in all four strains being inferred as a distinct clade. Characterization of mating type for each strain revealed A. korhogoensis as a heterothallic species, since three isolates exhibited a singular MAT1-1 locus and one isolate exhibited a singular MAT1-2 locus. Morphological and physiological characterizations were also performed based on their growth on various types of media. Their respective extrolite profiles were characterized using LC/HRMS, and showed that this new species is capable of producing B- and G-aflatoxins, aspergillic acid, cyclopiazonic acid, aflavarins, and asparasones, as well as other metabolites. Altogether, our results confirm the monophyly of A. korhogoensis, and strengthen its position in the A. flavus clade, as the sister taxon of A. parvisclerotigenus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of a strain of Alternaria tenuissima Kunze (IMI 301005) Wiltshire to degrade and alter the nutrient profile of three common Nigerian cereals was studied. The grains involved were Pennisetum glaucum, Sorghum vulgare and Oryza sativa. Fat, fibre and protein decreased in the inoculated substrates, and this was accompanied by an increase in ash content. The highest levels of cereal degradation by the mould were attained at pH 6.8 and at temperature range of 30-35 °C. Within 48 hours of incubation, extracellular proteases were detected in all the culture media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]