Presented by Fen Beed (IITA) at the Africa RISING East and Southern Africa Research Review and Planning Meeting, Arusha, Tanzania, 1-5 October 2012

1. Africa RISING
East and Southern Africa Research Review and
Planning Meeting, Arusha, Tanzania, 1-5 October 2012
Mycotoxin contamination in Tanzania: Quantifying
the problem in maize and cassava in households
and markets
Fen Beed (IITA)

2. Mycotoxins - aflatoxin,
Health & Trade
• Synergistic with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
to cause liver cancer
• 30 times more potent in HBV+
people
• 5-60 times higher cancer risk
• Impairs growth and development of
children
• Suppresses immune system
• Impedes uptake and utilization of
micronutrients in human systems
• Animal productivity reduced – growth
rate, embryo toxicity, feed efficiency,
cancer, death……

3. Aflatoxin Facts
• Highly toxic metabolite produced • Some predisposing
by the ubiquitous Aspergillus factors:
flavus fungus
– pre-harvest high temp and
• The fungus infects crops and
drought stress
produces the toxin in the field and
in stores – wet conditions at harvest
and
• Fungus carried from field to store
post-harvest periods
• Contamination possible without
visible signs of the fungus – insect damage

4. Prevalence of Aflatoxins in Food & Feed
• 2.5 billion exposed worldwide
• Several African staple commodities affected
• High human exposure in Africa – mother to baby
• Levels and frequency of occurrence high
• >30% maize in stores with >20 ppb aflatoxin
• ~90% stores are contaminated with Afla fungi
• Up to 40% grain in households with aflatoxin
• Concern for food and feed processors, government
and emergency food reserve agencies
• Highly toxic strains, conducive environmental
conditions, traditional farming methods and
improper grain drying and storage practices,
unregulated markets

5. Tanzania
Surveys
1> determine
prevalence of
mycotoxins in
maize and
cassava
2> questionnaires
field, processing,
storage methods
3> increase
awareness
4 > Link to PACA;
collect isolates
from maize &
groundnut for
characterisation of
potential biocontrol
agents and Abt
Associates

6. Survey
teams
MAFSC
TPRI&
IITA
SUA
TFDA

8. Sample analyses
Samples milled, sub sampled, and for maize; pre-tested using serological
methods for afaltoxin and fumonisin and sent along with all cassava
To IFA-TULLN for LC-MS/MS; state of the art detection capable of
quantifying more than 50 toxic metabolites in a single analysis

9. Sample analyses
Samples milled, sub sampled, and for maize; pre-tested using serological
methods for afaltoxin and fumonisin and sent along with all cassava
To IFA-TULLN for LC-MS/MS; state of the art detection capable of
quantifying more than 50 toxic metabolites in a single analysis

10. Sample analyses
Samples milled, sub sampled, and for maize; pre-tested using serological
methods for afaltoxin and fumonisin and sent along with all cassava
To IFA-TULLN for LC-MS/MS; state of the art detection capable of
quantifying more than 50 toxic metabolites in a single analysis

11. Sample analyses
Samples milled, sub sampled, and for maize; pre-tested using serological
methods for afaltoxin and fumonisin and sent along with all cassava
To IFA-TULLN for LC-MS/MS; state of the art detection capable of
quantifying more than 50 toxic metabolites in a single analysis

12. Sample analyses
Samples milled, sub sampled, and for maize; pre-tested using serological
methods for afaltoxin and fumonisin and sent along with all cassava
To IFA-TULLN for LC-MS/MS; state of the art detection capable of
quantifying more than 50 toxic metabolites in a single analysis

13. Sample analyses
Samples milled, sub sampled, and for maize; pre-tested using serological
methods for afaltoxin and fumonisin and sent along with all cassava
To IFA-TULLN for LC-MS/MS; state of the art detection capable of
quantifying more than 50 toxic metabolites in a single analysis

14. Summary
Working partnerships and trust established
Survey and analytical methods optimised
Awareness raised
Linkages between mycotoxin prevalence
with region and farmer practices identified
Areas for targeted intervention identified
- suitable for scaling out to Africa Rising Action Sites

15. Thank you, Asante Sana!