Biomin, the global leader in mycotoxin deactivation, has recently announced its involvement in a three-year, nearly US$1 million project to tackle mycotoxin-related food safety issues in sub-Saharan Africa.
The MycoSafe-South project aims to identify safe-use options for aflatoxins- and fumonisins-contaminated food and feed, to reduce human exposure to fungi-produced mycotoxins from animal protein sources, and to promote education and awareness efforts to understand mycotoxin-associated health risks in humans and animals. The research outcomes focus on human and infrastructural capacity building, and awareness building through on-site training of community, nutritionists, veterinarians, small-scale subsistence farmers and commercial farmers.
Mycotoxins jeopardize food security and food safety
“Aflatoxins and fumonisins are harmful mycotoxins that often co-occur, and constitute a serious issue in Africa,” observed Dr. Dian Schatzmayr, development team leader mycotoxins at Biomin.
Aflatoxins are potent carcinogens produced by strains of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. Fumonisins are hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic and immunosuppressive mycotoxins produced by Fusarium proliferatum and F. verticillioides. Both groups of mycotoxins are detrimental to humans and animals. Mycotoxin-contaminated crops fed to animals can carry over into dairy, egg and meat products.
Mycotoxin consumption in Africa has been linked to stunting among children, premature death and illness. Furthermore, mycotoxin contamination limits economic development in that the mycotoxin infestation of crops restrict Africa’s ability to trade agricultural products with the rest of the world.
In addition to providing some funding, Biomin will contribute knowledge and expertise to trials designed to demonstrate safe and efficient detoxification of mycotoxins in African dairy species, African laying hens and African broilers.
“Leveraging our leading EU-authoried technologies to combat mycotoxins, we aim to drastically reduce mycotoxin exposure in animals and limit mycotoxin carryover into food products, which should ultimately deliver real benefits for African consumers,” explained Dr. Schatzmayr.
“Effective mycotoxin mitigation strategies contribute to food security, food safety and sustainability,” she added.
Cape Town kick-off
Biomin will host the MycoSafe-South project kick-off on 2 October 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa, one day prior to the start of the 2018 World Nutrition Forum.
“We highly value the opportunity to engage with scientists and the global academic community through conferences and knowledge exchange about animal nutrition,” commented Dr. Schatzmayr. “We look forward to welcoming the MycoSafe-South team to Cape Town.” – Press release
