MycoSafe-South project aims to identify safe use options for aflatoxin- and fumonisin-contaminated food and feed in sub-Saharan Africa.

August 16, 2018

3 Min Read
Biomin joins MycoSafe-South to combat mycotoxins in sub-Saharan Africa

Biomin, a global leader in mycotoxin deactivation, recently announced its involvement in a three-year, nearly $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 aflatoxin- and fumonisin-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, BIOMIN explained in its announcement. The research outcomes focus on human and infrastructural capacity building and awareness building through on-site training of the community, nutritionists, veterinarians, small-scale subsistence farmers and commercial farmers.

MycoSafe-South is a European-African partnership for safe and efficient use of mycotoxin mitigation strategies in sub-Saharan Africa. The research project intends to harness the expertise and infrastructure available in Europe by strengthening the capacity of the southern partners to tackle the mycotoxin problem and the associated food safety issues. In particular, work will aim to identify safe and efficient post-harvest mitigation strategies to reduce aflatoxin and fumonisin exposure in Africa, with a special focus on children.

“Aflatoxins and fumonisins are harmful mycotoxins that often co-occur and constitute a serious issue in Africa,” said Dr. Dian Schatzmayr, development team leader mycotoxins at BIOMIN.

Aflatoxins are potent carcinogens produced by strains of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Fumonisins are hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic and immunosuppressive mycotoxins produced by Fusarium proliferatum and Fusarium 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, Biomin said.

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 restricts 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 and African laying hens and broilers, the company said.

“Leveraging our leading (European Union)-authorized 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,” Schatzmayr explained. “Effective mycotoxin mitigation strategies contribute to food security, food safety and sustainability.”

The LEAP-Agri international review panel noted that the research team is strong and very complementary. The project offers post-harvest solutions that are feasible to implement in African countries and creates opportunities for young researchers by assigning four doctoral students to conduct research at both European and African institutes.

MycoSafe-South aims to further develop African centers of excellence and points of contact for service to society, education and research on the topic of mycotoxins and their mitigation.

MycoSafe-South consortium coordinators and partners include: Ghent University (Belgium), the University of Johannesburg (South Africa), the University of Nairobi (Kenya), the Norwegian Veterinary Institute (Norway), the University of Liège (Belgium), the International Livestock Research Institute (Kenya), Biomin Holding GmbH (Austria), Harbro Ltd. (U.K.) and the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (Ethiopia). 

Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Feedstuffs is the news source for animal agriculture

You May Also Like