Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize from Small-Scale Farms Practicing Different Artisanal Control Methods in Kitui, Kenya
Aflatoxin contamination of maize is a threat to food security and public health for households that depend on farming in developing countries. The objective of this study was to determine levels of total aflatoxins in maize from farms adopting different artisanal aflatoxin control methods. A cross-s...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Hindawi-Wiley
2023-01-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Food Quality |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/3501819 |
| _version_ | 1797652627560857600 |
|---|---|
| author | Winfred Muthini Kyalo Joshua Orungo Onono Jackson Nyarongi Ombui Peter Baaro Gathura Johnson Nduhiu Gitahi Penina Afwande Ateku |
| author_facet | Winfred Muthini Kyalo Joshua Orungo Onono Jackson Nyarongi Ombui Peter Baaro Gathura Johnson Nduhiu Gitahi Penina Afwande Ateku |
| author_sort | Winfred Muthini Kyalo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aflatoxin contamination of maize is a threat to food security and public health for households that depend on farming in developing countries. The objective of this study was to determine levels of total aflatoxins in maize from farms adopting different artisanal aflatoxin control methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 315 maize farmers who provided maize samples for aflatoxin analysis and additional data on artisanal aflatoxin control methods applied at farm level. Maize grains were ground, and levels of aflatoxins were determined using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed by computing descriptive statistical measures, and binary logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between levels of aflatoxin in maize and artisanal control methods applied in different farms. Aflatoxin was detected in 98% of maize samples with a mean total aflatoxin level of 12.86 μg/kg which was above the maximum tolerable limits. There was a significant difference in total aflatoxin levels in maize obtained from farms which practiced minimum tillage compared to those practicing deep tillage (p = 0.015). Drying maize on bare ground had a higher likelihood of aflatoxin contamination than drying maize on tarpaulin (p = 0.005). One-third of maize samples had aflatoxin levels exceeding the set maximum limit, with maize samples from lowland areas having high proportions of aflatoxin-positive cases as compared to uplands. Artisanal aflatoxin control technologies such as land tillage, types of platforms for drying maize, and sources of maize seed significantly influence the level of aflatoxins in maize samples. We recommend targeted active surveillance for aflatoxins, continuous public education, and adoption of farm-level mitigation measures to reduce the impact of aflatoxin contamination in farming communities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T16:31:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0de17bd3b0f9400aa4032881c81cd557 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1745-4557 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T16:31:53Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Hindawi-Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Food Quality |
| spelling | doaj.art-0de17bd3b0f9400aa4032881c81cd5572023-10-24T00:00:03ZengHindawi-WileyJournal of Food Quality1745-45572023-01-01202310.1155/2023/3501819Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize from Small-Scale Farms Practicing Different Artisanal Control Methods in Kitui, KenyaWinfred Muthini Kyalo0Joshua Orungo Onono1Jackson Nyarongi Ombui2Peter Baaro Gathura3Johnson Nduhiu Gitahi4Penina Afwande Ateku5Department of Public HealthDepartment of Public HealthDepartment of Public HealthDepartment of Public HealthDepartment of Public HealthDepartment of Public HealthAflatoxin contamination of maize is a threat to food security and public health for households that depend on farming in developing countries. The objective of this study was to determine levels of total aflatoxins in maize from farms adopting different artisanal aflatoxin control methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 315 maize farmers who provided maize samples for aflatoxin analysis and additional data on artisanal aflatoxin control methods applied at farm level. Maize grains were ground, and levels of aflatoxins were determined using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed by computing descriptive statistical measures, and binary logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between levels of aflatoxin in maize and artisanal control methods applied in different farms. Aflatoxin was detected in 98% of maize samples with a mean total aflatoxin level of 12.86 μg/kg which was above the maximum tolerable limits. There was a significant difference in total aflatoxin levels in maize obtained from farms which practiced minimum tillage compared to those practicing deep tillage (p = 0.015). Drying maize on bare ground had a higher likelihood of aflatoxin contamination than drying maize on tarpaulin (p = 0.005). One-third of maize samples had aflatoxin levels exceeding the set maximum limit, with maize samples from lowland areas having high proportions of aflatoxin-positive cases as compared to uplands. Artisanal aflatoxin control technologies such as land tillage, types of platforms for drying maize, and sources of maize seed significantly influence the level of aflatoxins in maize samples. We recommend targeted active surveillance for aflatoxins, continuous public education, and adoption of farm-level mitigation measures to reduce the impact of aflatoxin contamination in farming communities.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/3501819 |
| spellingShingle | Winfred Muthini Kyalo Joshua Orungo Onono Jackson Nyarongi Ombui Peter Baaro Gathura Johnson Nduhiu Gitahi Penina Afwande Ateku Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize from Small-Scale Farms Practicing Different Artisanal Control Methods in Kitui, Kenya Journal of Food Quality |
| title | Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize from Small-Scale Farms Practicing Different Artisanal Control Methods in Kitui, Kenya |
| title_full | Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize from Small-Scale Farms Practicing Different Artisanal Control Methods in Kitui, Kenya |
| title_fullStr | Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize from Small-Scale Farms Practicing Different Artisanal Control Methods in Kitui, Kenya |
| title_full_unstemmed | Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize from Small-Scale Farms Practicing Different Artisanal Control Methods in Kitui, Kenya |
| title_short | Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize from Small-Scale Farms Practicing Different Artisanal Control Methods in Kitui, Kenya |
| title_sort | aflatoxin contamination of maize from small scale farms practicing different artisanal control methods in kitui kenya |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/3501819 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT winfredmuthinikyalo aflatoxincontaminationofmaizefromsmallscalefarmspracticingdifferentartisanalcontrolmethodsinkituikenya AT joshuaorungoonono aflatoxincontaminationofmaizefromsmallscalefarmspracticingdifferentartisanalcontrolmethodsinkituikenya AT jacksonnyarongiombui aflatoxincontaminationofmaizefromsmallscalefarmspracticingdifferentartisanalcontrolmethodsinkituikenya AT peterbaarogathura aflatoxincontaminationofmaizefromsmallscalefarmspracticingdifferentartisanalcontrolmethodsinkituikenya AT johnsonnduhiugitahi aflatoxincontaminationofmaizefromsmallscalefarmspracticingdifferentartisanalcontrolmethodsinkituikenya AT peninaafwandeateku aflatoxincontaminationofmaizefromsmallscalefarmspracticingdifferentartisanalcontrolmethodsinkituikenya |