ICRISAT Archival Report 2006 - The seedlings of success in the ...

Information was also disseminated using posters. Two posters on integrated management of Aflatoxin and ICRISAT
strategy to control Aflatoxin contamination were displayed at the Malian National Agricultural Research week.
More than 500 persons including policy makers, NGOs, etc., visited the stand.
BR Ntare, AT Diallo, HY Bissala, F Waliyar,
C Echekwu and A Da Sylva
Monitoring aflatoxin contamination in target areas in WCA: In addition to on-farm trials/demonstrations,
ICRISAT has also been monitoring levels of Aflatoxin contamination from 20 farmers in the districts of Kolokani,
Kayes and Kita in Mali. Some of the farmers have participated in participatory variety trials while others have
visited some of the demonstration plots in the districts. From 21 samples in Kolokani, the Aflatoxin content ranged
from 0.2 to 75 ppb, in Kayes (20 samples) the range was 6.39 to 1597 ppb, and in Kita (80 samples) the range was
4.2 to 1152 ppb. The alarming high levels of Aflatoxin contamination in Kayes and Kita are of concern and show
that these areas are Aflatoxin risk prone. However, results from Kolokani showed a significant decline in the level of
aflatoxin contamination. This is an indication of adoption of improved management practices.
Aflatoxin contamination was also determined in samples from pods, kernels and groundnut butter in several
markets in Bamako city. The samples showed a wide range of aflatoxin content levels (Table 10). Over 80% of the
samples had Aflatoxin content far beyond permissible (i.e 20ppb) levels for animal feeds. Permissible level for
human consumption is < 5 ppb. These high levels in market samples arise from contamination through
transportation, poor handling and storage conditions. Thus stakeholder sensitization about measures to control
contamination further down the commodity chain is essential.
Groundnut is an important component of the diet of many groundnut producers in West Africa. Many people are
not only malnourished but also chronically exposed to high levels of toxic fungal metabolites (mycotoxins).
Aflatoxin contaminates staple foods, in West Africa, particularly maize and groundnuts, as a result of hot, humid
storage conditions that promote fungal growth. Groundnut paste is used in nearly every household in Mali. High
exposure to aflatoxins occurs throughout childhood in the region suggesting that growth and development could be
critically affected. It would thus be important to assess the exposure of aflatoxins in relation to anthropometric
measures (weight, height, age, malnutrition scores, weaning status and the economic status of the mother and
family etc) in children in the target areas. Linking with surveys on malaria or other health related issues (level of
malnutrition, types of diet etc) in target villages to assess aflatoxin exposure is vital. Elsewhere in West Africa
(Benin and Togo) a striking association between exposure to aflatoxin in children and both stunting (a reflection of
chronic malnutrition) and being underweight (an indicator of acute malnutrition) has been revealed. This
emphasizes the need to investigate this question and develop strategies to minimize exposure to mycotoxins in
staple foods.
Table 10. Means and ranges for Aflatoxin content from groundnut market samples in Mali, 2006
Market/Product No. of Samples Mean (ppb) Range (ppb)
Groundnut paste
Kita 22 203 30-1674
Bamako 69 260 5-2914
Kernels
Bakodjikoroni 22 103 3-914
Banakabougou 72 155 7-2666
Banconi 25 222 4-1150
Daudabougou 24 179 5-2040
Dibida 12 20 5-46
Magnambougou 10 92 2-455
Medine 83 135 3-1800
N’Golonina 16 115 5-536
Sokorodji 21 145 6-1018
BR Ntare, AT Diallo and F Waliyar
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