Chapters authored
Aflatoxin Occurrence in Dairy Feeds: A Case of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Aflatoxin contamination in feeds used by Bulawayo peri-urban farmers for dairy cows was assessed. Semi-intensive farming was the most common farming type practised by the farmers where the animal feeds were supplemented with mixed rations, concentrated feed, grass and brewers’ spent grains. Mixed ration was the most commonly used feed supplement. Feed analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed the presence of all four naturally occurring aflatoxins: aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2. Total aflatoxin concentration in the feeds ranged from 0 to 250.9 μg/kg. Mixed ration had the highest average total aflatoxin concentration of 29.0 μg/kg, which is above the European Union (EU) standard adopted by Zimbabwe. AFB1, the most potent aflatoxin was the predominant aflatoxin across all feeds with an average concentration of 9.0 μg/kg and highest concentration of 149.6 μg/kg in a mixed ration sample which is also above the EU 5.0 μg/kg for lactating cows. Farm personnel responses to the questionnaire showed that most of them were not aware of aflatoxins. These findings call for stringent measures to be put in place with regard to aflatoxin testing in feeds for the dairy sector as well as educating the farmers on the importance of aflatoxin monitoring feed ingredients and livestock feeds.
Part of the book: Aflatoxin B1 Occurrence, Detection and Toxicological Effects
Nutrient Composition and Aflatoxin Contamination of African Sourced Peanuts and Cashew Nuts: Its Implications on Health
Edible nuts are popular worldwide based on their varied attributes such as desirable taste, high nutritional value as well as some health benefits. Globally, the most popular edible nuts are groundnuts or peanuts, almond, cashew nut among others. Due to the rich nutritional composition of nuts, they tend to be prone to contamination by toxigenic fungi which could ultimately results in the release of fungal metabolites known as mycotoxins into nuts. In view of the nutritional composition of nut and its high susceptibility to fungal attack, this chapter looks at the nutritional profile, mycotoxigenic fungi and aflatoxins contamination of peanuts, cashew nuts and their products with a central focus on Africa where the effect of aflatoxin contaminations is more prominent.
Part of the book: Nuts and Nut Products in Human Health and Nutrition