Aflatoxins
Aflasafe
Highly toxic metabolite produced by Aspergillus flavus and related fungi
Most toxic compound found in nature
The fungus infects crops and produces the toxin in the field and in stores
Maize and groundnut are most vulnerable; other crops are susceptible
Contamination possible without visible signs of the fungus
Impact on health and trade
Management of aflatoxin contamination in groundnut – ICRISAT ApproachFrancois Stepman
H Desmae
ICRISAT-WCA, Bamako, Mali
January, 2016
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Management of aflatoxin contamination in groundnut – ICRISAT ApproachFrancois Stepman
H Desmae
ICRISAT-WCA, Bamako, Mali
January, 2016
Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
Pakistan chilli production scenario by Tariq Sarwar Awan, Food TechnologistMalik Tariq Sarwar Awan
Presenting Pakistan Chili Production Scenario , we are suffering from aflatoxin issue. pakistan is a major player in chili production but we are importing inspite of exporting. our leading industries are importing chili powder, topic needs to be focussed.
Author: Bancy Mati
Title: Improving Rice Production and Saving Water in Africa
Presented at: The International Conference on System of Crop Intensification for Climate-Smart Livelihood and Nutritional Security (ICSCI22)
Date: December 12-14 2022
Venue: ICAR, Hyderabad, India
Presentation at the March 2013 dialogue workshop of the Biosciences for Farming in Africa media fellowship programme in Accra, Ghana.
Please see www.sti4d.com/b4fa for more information
Day 3 - Module 3: Seed Quality Control - Session 2AfricaSeeds
A training and validation workshop of the Seed Operations Toolkit was held in Abidjan from 14 to 18 November 2016. Designed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with AfricaSeeds, the Toolkit aims to provide guidance for capacity development of all stakeholders of the seed value chain. The workshop was attended by 27 experts from 21 African countries. The validated modules were: Module 1: Development of small-scale seed enterprises; Module 2: Seed conditioning equipment; Module 3: Seed Quality Control and Certification; and Module 4: Seed Sector Regulation.
Activities of Vegetable Sector of BRAC Agricultural Research & Development Centre, Bangladesh have been described. #suggested link of my you tube video on red spinach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kijF78rwhaY&t=52s another link of yellow seeded mung bean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iEszjkUab4&t=8s
Pakistan chilli production scenario by Tariq Sarwar Awan, Food TechnologistMalik Tariq Sarwar Awan
Presenting Pakistan Chili Production Scenario , we are suffering from aflatoxin issue. pakistan is a major player in chili production but we are importing inspite of exporting. our leading industries are importing chili powder, topic needs to be focussed.
Author: Bancy Mati
Title: Improving Rice Production and Saving Water in Africa
Presented at: The International Conference on System of Crop Intensification for Climate-Smart Livelihood and Nutritional Security (ICSCI22)
Date: December 12-14 2022
Venue: ICAR, Hyderabad, India
Presentation at the March 2013 dialogue workshop of the Biosciences for Farming in Africa media fellowship programme in Accra, Ghana.
Please see www.sti4d.com/b4fa for more information
Day 3 - Module 3: Seed Quality Control - Session 2AfricaSeeds
A training and validation workshop of the Seed Operations Toolkit was held in Abidjan from 14 to 18 November 2016. Designed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with AfricaSeeds, the Toolkit aims to provide guidance for capacity development of all stakeholders of the seed value chain. The workshop was attended by 27 experts from 21 African countries. The validated modules were: Module 1: Development of small-scale seed enterprises; Module 2: Seed conditioning equipment; Module 3: Seed Quality Control and Certification; and Module 4: Seed Sector Regulation.
Activities of Vegetable Sector of BRAC Agricultural Research & Development Centre, Bangladesh have been described. #suggested link of my you tube video on red spinach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kijF78rwhaY&t=52s another link of yellow seeded mung bean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iEszjkUab4&t=8s
Aflatoxin Management in Food Crops for the Global Markettitilayofalade
Aflatoxin contamination creates limitation to good health, trade in premium markets and in international markets. Strategies for aflatoxin management including the use of Aflasafe were presented at a one-day sensitization workshop by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture organised by the National Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigeria.
Importance of maize
Constraints to maize production
Basic requirements for maize production
Agronomic management practices
Harvest and post-harvest management
By Dr Alejandro Ortega-Beltrán, Plant Pathologist, IITA
Aflasafe is not only a new product or input but also a new technology which is often not well understood.As a result, notable resistance and numerous misconceptions abound amongst different stakeholders about both the technology and the product. Many questions have been asked – and continue to be asked – about the product, Aflasafe, the mechanism of bio-control and how the aflatoxin reduction occurs. During this conference, we will focus on answering some of the most commonly asked questions while highlighting the critical control points in the Aflasafe development process, and recent improvements in the Aflasafe manufacturing process. We will also hear on experiences and best practice in Aflasafe manufacturing, and factory set-up and operation, whilst we also deliberate on the role of the regulators in ensuring product safety and efficacy, both before registration, and thereafter under licensed manufacturing. We will briefly learn about aflatoxin quantification in the field and share some of the lessons learnt to ensure correct and timely application of Aflasafe.
OBJECTIVES
• Understand the science of Aflasafe, the mechanism of bio-control and commercial-scale Aflasafe manufacturing process.
• Be abreast of recent process improvements.
• Understand the essentials on product safety, and the role of aflatoxin testing in validating efficacy.
• Demonstrate the efficacy of Aflasafe in market development.
• Tackle misconceptions, and understand the limitations of the technology.
• How to optimise user support – what must be done, by whom and by when.
"Aflasafe: a case study for aflatoxin reduction in crops "ExternalEvents
"Aflasafe: a case study for aflatoxin reduction in crops" presentation by "Ranajit Bandyopadhyay, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria"
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
Donate to charity during this holiday seasonSERUDS INDIA
For people who have money and are philanthropic, there are infinite opportunities to gift a needy person or child a Merry Christmas. Even if you are living on a shoestring budget, you will be surprised at how much you can do.
Donate Us
https://serudsindia.org/how-to-donate-to-charity-during-this-holiday-season/
#charityforchildren, #donateforchildren, #donateclothesforchildren, #donatebooksforchildren, #donatetoysforchildren, #sponsorforchildren, #sponsorclothesforchildren, #sponsorbooksforchildren, #sponsortoysforchildren, #seruds, #kurnool
A process server is a authorized person for delivering legal documents, such as summons, complaints, subpoenas, and other court papers, to peoples involved in legal proceedings.
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
ZGB - The Role of Generative AI in Government transformation.pdfSaeed Al Dhaheri
This keynote was presented during the the 7th edition of the UAE Hackathon 2024. It highlights the role of AI and Generative AI in addressing government transformation to achieve zero government bureaucracy
This session provides a comprehensive overview of the latest updates to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (commonly known as the Uniform Guidance) outlined in the 2 CFR 200.
With a focus on the 2024 revisions issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), participants will gain insight into the key changes affecting federal grant recipients. The session will delve into critical regulatory updates, providing attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate and comply with the evolving landscape of federal grant management.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the rationale behind the 2024 updates to the Uniform Guidance outlined in 2 CFR 200, and their implications for federal grant recipients.
- Identify the key changes and revisions introduced by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the 2024 edition of 2 CFR 200.
- Gain proficiency in applying the updated regulations to ensure compliance with federal grant requirements and avoid potential audit findings.
- Develop strategies for effectively implementing the new guidelines within the grant management processes of their respective organizations, fostering efficiency and accountability in federal grant administration.
Russian anarchist and anti-war movement in the third year of full-scale warAntti Rautiainen
Anarchist group ANA Regensburg hosted my online-presentation on 16th of May 2024, in which I discussed tactics of anti-war activism in Russia, and reasons why the anti-war movement has not been able to make an impact to change the course of events yet. Cases of anarchists repressed for anti-war activities are presented, as well as strategies of support for political prisoners, and modest successes in supporting their struggles.
Thumbnail picture is by MediaZona, you may read their report on anti-war arson attacks in Russia here: https://en.zona.media/article/2022/10/13/burn-map
Links:
Autonomous Action
http://Avtonom.org
Anarchist Black Cross Moscow
http://Avtonom.org/abc
Solidarity Zone
https://t.me/solidarity_zone
Memorial
https://memopzk.org/, https://t.me/pzk_memorial
OVD-Info
https://en.ovdinfo.org/antiwar-ovd-info-guide
RosUznik
https://rosuznik.org/
Uznik Online
http://uznikonline.tilda.ws/
Russian Reader
https://therussianreader.com/
ABC Irkutsk
https://abc38.noblogs.org/
Send mail to prisoners from abroad:
http://Prisonmail.online
YouTube: https://youtu.be/c5nSOdU48O8
Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/libertarianlifecoach/episodes/Russian-anarchist-and-anti-war-movement-in-the-third-year-of-full-scale-war-e2k8ai4
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
Presentation by Jared Jageler, David Adler, Noelia Duchovny, and Evan Herrnstadt, analysts in CBO’s Microeconomic Studies and Health Analysis Divisions, at the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists Summer Conference.
2. www.iita.org
Aflatoxin: what is it?
• Highly toxic metabolite produced by
Aspergillus flavus and related fungi
• Most toxic compound found in nature
• The fungus infects crops and produces the
toxin in the field and in stores
• Maize and groundnut are most vulnerable;
other crops are susceptible
• Contamination possible without visible signs
of the fungus
• Impact on health and trade
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
What are aflatoxins?
5. www.iita.org
Vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) in theVegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) in the
AspergilliAspergilli
Variation within species
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
7. www.iita.org
Aflatoxicosis = Aflatoxin Poisoning
Chronic Aflatoxicosis
Ingestion of low to moderate
levels of aflatoxins
Symptoms:
- Impaired food conversion
- Stunting
- Immune suppression
- Liver cancer
Acute Aflatoxicosis
Ingestion of moderate to high
levels of aflatoxins
Symptoms:
- Acute liver damage
- Abdominal swelling
- Acute hepatitis
- Death
- Death
www.aspergillus.org.uk
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.orgA member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
8. www.iita.org
Aflatoxin, Health & Trade
Death (>200 people in Kenya)
Synergistic with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
to cause liver cancer
• 30 times more potent in HBV+ people
• 5-60 times higher cancer risk
Suppress immune system – increased
susceptibility to diseases, e.g., HIV
Animal productivity reduced – growth
rate, embryo toxicity, feed efficiency,
cancer, death……
Trade impact -- >US$1.2 billion loss
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
9. www.iita.org
Aflatoxin exposure and stunting
• Stunting: 40% more frequent in the
high exposure zone
• Exposure: mother to baby before
(umbilical cord) and after (breast milk)
birth, and maize-based diets after
weaning
28%
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
10. www.iita.org
Prevalence of aflatoxins in food
• High levels from Kenya, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gambia,
Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia…….
• Frequency of occurrence high
– >30% maize in stores with >20 ppb aflatoxin
– ~90% stores are contaminated with Aflatoxin-producing fungi
– Up to 40% grain in households with aflatoxin
• Several African staple commodities affected
• Causes: environmental conditions, traditional farming methods
improper grain drying and storage practices, unregulated markets
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
11. www.iita.org
Food systems
Large Scale and Regulated
– Developed countries
– Trade based
– Advanced infrastructure
– Capital intensive
Small Scale and Unregulated
– Developing countries
– Informal markets
– Subsistence
– High food insecurity
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
12. www.iita.orgA member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
Situation in developing countries
13. www.iita.org
Synergistic interaction
with Hepatitis-B & C
MalnutritionMalnutrition
Liver cancerLiver cancer
Trade
Restrictions
Trade
Restrictions
Quality reductionQuality reduction
Aflatoxin
contamination
in food and feed
Reduced ability to
cope with diseases,
especially HIV/AIDS
Liver cirrhosis, immuno-suppression,
blocks nutrient absorption, growth
abnormalities, etc.
Vicious-Link
Vicious-Link
TRADETRADE
HEALTH
HEALTH
Aflatoxins—the vicious link
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
14. www.iita.org
Aflatoxin management strategies
• Awareness
• Resistant varieties
• Biological control
• Timely harvest
• Rapid grain drying
• Storage structure
• Sorting and processing
• Insect control
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
15. www.iita.org
Biological control of aflatoxins
• Fungal communities differ in aflatoxin-producing ability
• Some strains produce aflatoxins and others no aflatoxin (atoxigenic)
- naturally occurring atoxigenic can be exploited as biocontrol agents
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
16. www.iita.org
Biological control of aflatoxins
• Competitive exclusion: atoxigenic strains displace
toxigenic strains
- Shift strain profile from toxigenic to atoxigenic
• Effects in multiple crops, areas, and years
• IITA has conducted activities related to biocontrol of
aflatoxins since 2003
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
17. www.iita.org
Spores
Aflasafe in 2.5 & 5 kg bags
Wind
Soil colonization and displacement of toxigenic fungi
Sporulation on moist soil
3-20
days
How does aflasafe work?
Broadcast
@ 10 kg/ha 2-3 weeks before flowering
30-33 grains/m2
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
18. www.iita.orgA member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
Before biocontrol application
19. www.iita.orgA member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
After biocontrol application
20. www.iita.org
Recovery of released strains from soil an
grain of control and treated plots
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Control Treated
Recoveryofreleased
atoxigenicstrains(%)
Soil before inoculation
Soil at harvest
Grain at harvest
60-80% carry-over
of inoculum one
year after
application
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
21. www.iita.orgwww.iita.orgA member of CGIAR consortiumA member of CGIAR consortium 16-17 March, 2016 www.iita.org
Aflasafe, how it was developed?
Over 10 years of research
• Collection and identification of isolates
- Over 5,000 individuals of Aspergillus flavus
- Identification of atoxigenic strains native to major
producing areas of Nigeria
- Reasons of inability to produce aflatoxins
• Tests to ensure biosafety of the atoxigenic isolates
• Development of methods for mass production of aflasafe
• Efficacy trials in farmer fields
22. www.iita.orgwww.iita.orgA member of CGIAR consortium
Production of Aflasafe
Agriculture for Nutrition &A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
23. Nigeria: efficacy on maize
82 94 83 86 82 93 89 90
51 14 199 38 51 14 166 38Fields (#)
Less (%)
At HarvestAt Harvest After StorageAfter Storage
Aflatoxin(ppb)
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
24. www.iita.orgA member of CGIAR consortium
82 94 82 93
16 82 16 81Fields (#)
At HarvestAt Harvest After storageAfter storage
Aflatoxin(ppb)
Nigeria: efficacy on groundnut
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
Less (%)
25. www.iita.org
Benefits of using aflasafe
Short term
•Significantly lower aflatoxin contamination in
aflasafe-treated crops; safe crops available for local
consumption by households
•Food and feed industries will have access to good
quality maize and groundnut for manufacturing safe
and nutritious products
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-17 March, 2016 www.iita.org
26. www.iita.org
Benefits of using aflasafe
Long term
•Improved health and nutrition of people, especially
women and children
•Increased livestock productivity and profitability due to
incorporation of aflatoxin-reduced crops in the feed value
chain
•Greater trading opportunities in domestic, regional, and
international premium markets = Higher income for
farmers/aggregators/traders
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-17 March, 2016 www.iita.org
27. www.iita.orgwww.iita.orgA member of CGIAR consortium
Aflasafe development in Africa
Senegal
Burkina Faso
Ghana
Nigeria
Kenya
Tanzania
Mozambique
Zambia
Rwanda
Burundi
Uganda
The Gambia
Malawi
Strain
development in
progress
Products under
testing in
farmers’ fields
Product ready
for registration
Product
registered
Agriculture for Nutrition &A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
28. www.iita.orgwww.iita.orgA member of CGIAR consortium
Commercialization & tech transfer
Agriculture for Nutrition &
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Nigeria
Kenya
Senegal/Gambia
Zambia
BurkinaFaso
Ghana
Mozambique
Tanzania
Malawi
Uganda
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Key
Complete Product Registration
Develop Country Strategy
Submit Country Strategy for Approval
Develop Manufacturing/Distribution Parnerships
Submit Tech Transfer Agreements for Approval
Provide Support, Monitor for Quality and Usage
A member of CGIAR consortium 16-18 March, 2016 www.iita.org
But what is the fungi causing contamination in Mexico, (four states of Mexico)? In fact, across certain regions of Mexico. A. flavus, the most common aflatot producer, as I mentioned before, has 2 main morphotypes, S & L strains, which differ in morphological, physiological and genetic criteria. S strain produces numerous, small sclerotia, few conidia and consistently high levels of B1, the L strain produces fewer, larger sclerotia, copious conidia and variable levels of B1. Some L strain isolates do not produce any detectable amount of aflat
Other species were found including A. nomius, A. parasiticus and Local species, but these species were found in low frequencies and are infrequently associated with maize production. These produce G aflatoxins.
Large variability in several aspects, including epidemiology, physiology, aflatoxin production. Mention that is the main reason why we focus in the L strain,LARGE VARIABILITY IN AFLATOXIN PRODUCING POTENTIALS.
● Aspergillus species are subdivided in clonal lineages known as Vegetative Compatibility Groups or VCGs. These may differ to a great extent in several characteristics, including aflatoxin-production, crop adaptation, among others.
+ VCGs were assessed using nitrate nonutilizing mutants in VCA ● in this tests, A tester pair of a VCG is placed to react ● with a mutant of an isolate of interest. Heterokaryon formation will occur only between isolates w/ identical alleles at each loci governing VC, indicating that isolates belong to the same VCG. As great diversity exists in each morphotype and species, a mixture of VCGs can be interacting in an area, in single fields, even single maize ears. Members of a VCG are typically considered to be descendants of th e same clonal linear and to contain one of the two highly distinct mating-type genes
Serious threat for countries where maize production are located in areas conducive to aflatoxin accumulation. Esta otra figura representa los paises que han sufrido de brotes de aflatoxicosis que han resultado en decenas de muertes, siendo el mas reciente el caso de kenya en el 2006. Pero cuantos de estos casos se han presentado en otros paises y no se han dado a conocer por diversos factores?
Biological control agents act against plant pathogens through different modes of action. Antagonistic interactions that can lead to biological control include antibiosis, competition and hyperparasitism. Competition occurs when two or more microorganisms require the same resources in excess of their supply. These resources can include space, nutrients, and oxygen. In a biological control system, the more efficient competitor, i.e., the biological control agent, out-competes the less efficient one, i.e., the pathogen. Antibiosis occurs when antibiotics or toxic metabolites produced by one microorganism have direct inhibitory effect on another. Hyperparasitism or predation results from biotrophic or necrotrophic interactions that lead to parasitism of the plant pathogen by the biological control agent. Some microorganisms, particularly those in soil, can reduce damage from diseases by promoting plant growth or by inducing host resistance against a myriad of pathogens. Efficient biological control agents often express more than one mode of action for suppressing the plant pathogens.
Biological control agents act against plant pathogens through different modes of action. Antagonistic interactions that can lead to biological control include antibiosis, competition and hyperparasitism. Competition occurs when two or more microorganisms require the same resources in excess of their supply. These resources can include space, nutrients, and oxygen. In a biological control system, the more efficient competitor, i.e., the biological control agent, out-competes the less efficient one, i.e., the pathogen. Antibiosis occurs when antibiotics or toxic metabolites produced by one microorganism have direct inhibitory effect on another. Hyperparasitism or predation results from biotrophic or necrotrophic interactions that lead to parasitism of the plant pathogen by the biological control agent. Some microorganisms, particularly those in soil, can reduce damage from diseases by promoting plant growth or by inducing host resistance against a myriad of pathogens. Efficient biological control agents often express more than one mode of action for suppressing the plant pathogens.
En este campo de maiz pueden ver que existen muchos individuos productores de toxinas en el aire, la planta, o en suelo. * Afortunadamente, tambien existen hongos dentro de esta misma seccion fungica que no las producen y que pueden ser utilizados como agentes de biocontrol para reducir la contaminacion. La mayoria de estos grupos de individuos que no producen toxinas son altamente competitivos, por lo que desplazan a los individuos toxicos y ocupan los lugares que estos ocuparian.
Una vez aplicdo el producto en el campo, la cantidad de individuos beneficos se incrementa y los niveles de aflatoxinas se reducen a niveles permitidos por las agencias alrededor del mundo.
Aflasafe is a biopesticide developed by IITA and USDA-ARS and registered by NAFDAC for aflatoxin mitigation in maize and groundnut in Nigeria. The demonstration-scale manufacturing aflasafe facility, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation under the aegis of Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa, was built in 2014 to supply aflasafe to farmers. This is the largest aflatoxin biocontrol product manufacturing plant and has the highest production throughput in the world. Nigerian farmers are purchasing aflasafe to treat their maize fields. Aflasafe (www.aflasafe.com) is packaged in 2.5 kg and 5 kg bags and available for sale at IITA’s Business Incubation Platform.