Applied Mycology, Environment and Agri-Food Theme, Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK; Department of Environment and Livelihoods Support System, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O Box 1410, Mbarara Uganda.
Applied Mycology, Environment and Agri-Food Theme, Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK.
J Food Prot. 2024 Sep;87(9):100340. doi: 10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100340. Epub 2024 Aug 6.
Cassava is the second most important staple food crop for Uganda and is prone to contamination with mycotoxins. This study aimed at understanding the current agricultural practices, their potential influence on mycotoxin occurrence, as well as assessing mycotoxin knowledge among key cassava value chain actors, including farmers, wholesalers, and processors. Data were collected through individual interviews (210), key informant interviews (34), and 4 focus group discussions. The findings revealed that 51% of farmers peeled cassava directly on bare ground, resulting in direct contact with soil that potentially harbors mycotoxin-producing fungi, such as Aspergillus section Flavi. During postharvest handling, 51.6% of farmers dried cassava chips directly on bare ground. Nearly, all (95.2%) of wholesalers packed cassava chips in local gunny bags and placed them on ground instead of pallets. In the processing of cassava chips into flour, only one of the 14 processing machines was certified by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. Additionally, there was only one processing machine available for every 180 (1:180) consumers bringing their cassava for processing. 50.8% of cassava consumers interviewed admitted to consuming cassava flour regardless of quality, while 73% blended cassava flour with flour from mycotoxin-susceptible crops mainly maize, millet, and sorghum. Most (96.2%) of the people along the cassava value chain did not understand what the term mycotoxins meant. However, 56% of interviewed respondents were familiar with the term aflatoxins. Of the cassava value chain actors aware of mycotoxins, 82.9% knew of methods for reducing aflatoxin contamination, but only 40.9% were putting such methods into practice. More farmers (47.9%) managed aflatoxins compared to wholesalers (33.3%) and processors (21.4%). Knowledge on aflatoxins was significantly associated with value chain actor (P = 0.026), head of household (P = 0.004), region (P = 0.033), age (P = 0.001), and experience (P = 0.001). This study highlights the critical areas of mycotoxin contamination within the cassava value chain in Uganda and underscores the need to improve the knowledge among value chain actors especially farmers.
木薯是乌干达第二大主要主食作物，但容易受到霉菌毒素的污染。本研究旨在了解当前的农业实践，它们对霉菌毒素发生的潜在影响，以及评估关键木薯价值链参与者（包括农民、批发商和加工商）的霉菌毒素知识。通过个人访谈（210 次）、关键信息提供者访谈（34 次）和 4 次焦点小组讨论收集了数据。调查结果显示，51%的农民直接在裸露的地面上削皮木薯，导致与可能携带产霉菌毒素真菌（如黄曲霉节）的土壤直接接触。在收获后处理过程中，51.6%的农民直接将木薯片摊在裸露的地面上晾干。几乎所有（95.2%）的批发商都用当地的麻布袋包装木薯片，并将它们放在地上而不是托盘上。在将木薯片加工成面粉的过程中，14 台加工机中只有一台获得了乌干达国家标准局的认证。此外，每 180 个（1:180）消费者中只有一台加工机可供他们将木薯送去加工。接受采访的 50.8%的木薯消费者承认无论质量如何，都食用木薯粉，而 73%的消费者将木薯粉与玉米、小米和高粱等易受霉菌毒素污染的作物的面粉混合。木薯价值链上的大多数人（96.2%）不了解霉菌毒素一词的含义。然而，56%的受访者熟悉黄曲霉毒素一词。在了解霉菌毒素的价值链参与者中，82.9%知道减少黄曲霉毒素污染的方法，但只有 40.9%在实际应用这些方法。与批发商（33.3%）和加工商（21.4%）相比，更多的农民（47.9%）管理黄曲霉毒素。对黄曲霉毒素的了解与价值链参与者（P=0.026）、户主（P=0.004）、地区（P=0.033）、年龄（P=0.001）和经验（P=0.001）显著相关。本研究强调了乌干达木薯价值链中霉菌毒素污染的关键领域，并强调需要提高价值链参与者（特别是农民）的知识水平。
