Aflatoxin: stakeholders want proof before FG purchases aflasafe

Controversy over the most publicized aflatoxin diseases that mostly affect oily crops like maize, groundnut and cowpea may seem not going down well with some major stakeholders in the value chains of these produce in Nigeria as they demand that more proof must be presented before Federal Government can embark on the procurement of any preventive product based on the information that IITA is already making moves towards government procurement. 

The stakeholders who pleaded anonymity for obvious reason argued that the issue of aflatoxin especially in Nigeria calls for more investigation as the scientific arguments for it in the country may not be too acceptable when considering the high level of sunshine  especially in Kaduna state where it was being accused to be prominent saying mould infection is a function of plenty rain or precipitation.

They argued further that IITA and other international organizations need to conduct more research findings to give justification for its presence in the country stressing anything otherwise would be seen as an attempt to sabotage markets for the produce saying the “ high degree of sunshine in the North may not justify its present in Nigeria as the disease is a function of mould due to rain or water”

These Nigerians according to their spokesman pointed that the present outcry is important to checkmate propaganda against  our produce as being sub standard especially in the face of market for maize and others that are already attracting foreign demands for further processed foods production by the multi-nationals saying that “ how can we stop IITA from propagating aflatoxin in Nigeria. Let us know where the problem is before proclamazation. We stakeholders want more scientific evidence since is a disease that is peculiar in a mouldy areas where there is no enough sunshine to dry the crops before harvest”

They further commented that the high cost of the preventive measure through aflasafe tends to send a signal of market creation for this item through government to farmers just as the group wanted the Federal government to involved all the stakeholders in the whatever procurement they might want to embark upon in the name of aflasafe saying “since farmers are the ones to apply them, then it significant that their view are considered before any action”

However research finding has revealed that Aflatoxins often occur in crops in the field prior to harvest. Postharvest contamination can occur if crop drying is delayed, and during storage of the crop if water is allowed to exceed critical values for the mold growth. Insect or rodent infestations facilitate mould invasion of some stored commodities.

Aflatoxins are detected occasionally in milk, cheese, corn, peanuts, cottonseed, nuts, almonds, figs, spices, and a variety of other foods and feeds. Milk, eggs, and meat products are sometimes contaminated because of the animal consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated feed. However, the commodities with the highest risk of aflatoxin contamination are corn, peanuts, and cottonseed.

 Also research finding has revealed that aflatoxin mycotoxins are produced by the Aspergillus species of molds. Aspergillus molds grow mostly on crops such as grains and nuts. Under the right conditions, Aspergillus often grows on grain before it is harvested. But it can also grow on harvested grain if the grain is stored damp.Aspergillus also grows on substances like soil, hay and decaying vegetation. The best conditions for Aspergillus to grow on organic materials is when the temperature is warm and when the material has a high level of moisture (7% or more).

The American Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 25% of the food crops in the world are affected by mycotoxins. Of these mycotoxins, aflatoxins are the biggest problem.

Corn, cottonseed and peanuts are the crops most at risk of being contaminated by aflatoxins. Aspergillus also commonly grows on beans, rice, tree nuts and wheat. It grows less often on other grains and nuts.If animals are given feed contaminated with aflatoxins then aflatoxin mycotoxins can end up in milk, eggs and meat. Aflatoxin M1 and M, which are often found in cow's milk, are metabolites produced by animals which have eaten aflatoxins.

Safety is a key issue for scientists working in the aflatoxin area. Steps must be taken to minimize exposure to the toxins as well as to the producing microorganisms, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. A safety program should be established that meets the requirements of the Laboratory Standard of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (1990) and the guidelines of the National Institutes of Health (1981) covering use of chemical carcinogens.

The economic impact of aflatoxins derive directly from crop and livestock losses as well as indirectly from the cost of regulatory programs designed to reduce risks to animal and human health. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 25% of the world's food crops are affected by mycotoxins, of which the most notorious are aflatoxins. Aflatoxin losses to livestock and poultry producers from aflatoxin-contaminated feeds include death and the more subtle effects of immune system suppression, reduced growth rates, and losses in feed efficiency. Other adverse economic effects of aflatoxins include lower yields for food and fiber crops.

Aflasafe was developed by IITA in collaboration with Agriculture and Research Service of the United State Department of Agriculture, University of Bonn and University of Ibadan (UI). According to IITA, about 4200 strains of Aspergittus species from naturally infected maize cobs collected from farmers’ field and stores in Nigeria. After six years of meticulous and painstaking research using several microbiology , plant pathology, molecular biology and toxicology method; 12 safe and effective atoxigenic strain were identified out of which four (4) were further  tested four six (6) years in experienced station and farmers fields in Nigeria.

The Aflasafe strains cannot produce aflatoxin since they have inherent defects in one or more of the 26 genes in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway. They also cannot become toxigenic since the selected atoxigenic strain. Hence, genetic exchange between members of the same atoxigenic genetic group cannot transform atoxigenic strams to toxigenic ones. Members of two different genetic groups cannot exchange DNA.