Risk Assessment of Aflatoxin and Fumonisin in Fish Feeds, Kenya: A Review

Fish is a protein source and constitutes other significant nutrients that have been crucial to human health. Aquaculture in Kenya has grown faster than any other food production sector, with fish feeds being prepared from different cereal products commonly contaminated by Mycotoxins. But controlling the growth of fungi that cause mycotoxin has been a challenge due to conditions that enable their development. With fish contamination primarily ignored, there is still high consumption of fish being propagated by improved and increased aquacultural activities. There have been various qualitative and quantitative assessments on Aflatoxin and Fumonisin in animal feed and food with little focus on fish feed which might be the most significant risk factor for cancer development. Kenya's high occurrence warranted the current review, which describes sources of fish feeds, conditions for mould growth, exposure of fish too contaminated feeds, decontamination of fish feed and feed ingredients, effects of Fumonisin and Aflatoxin on fish and human, risk characterization and management strategies. This review provides a platform and insights to novice researchers to pave the way for future research in the area. Keywords: Mycotoxins; Aflatoxins; Fumonisin; Uasin Gishu; Kisumu. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-10-05 Publication date:May 31st 202

Community knowledge and awareness of aflatoxin in dietary staples in rural Busia County, Kenya: a mixed methods study

Aflatoxins are an important food safety challenge globally and in Kenya. Understanding a community’s knowledge, perception and practices is instrumental to improvement of aflatoxin control measures. Creating awareness on the causes of contamination and mitigation options could improve aflatoxin mitigation. This study aimed to map out dietary staples, establish drivers of food choices, describe knowledge and perceptions on aflatoxin and post-harvest grain management practices and use among the communities in Busia County in order to guide future evidence-based aflatoxin prevention and public health interventions. A household survey was conducted in 40 villages, and participants were selected using stratified systematic sampling in three sub-counties in rural Busia County. The survey was complemented and triangulated with a qualitative study component. Focus Group Discussions with sixty women and sixteen semi- structured interviews with nine men and seven women were conducted. Both descriptive and statistical analysis of data were performed. The results showed variability in household diversity scores and maize was observed as the community staple. While both younger and older participants were able to identify spoilt grains, they demonstrated limited knowledge and awareness of aflatoxin. Participants were not aware that seemingly clean grains could be colonized by aflatoxin as they only associated spoilage with discoloration and bitter taste of flour. Study participants were also not aware of the aflatoxin pathways to exposure as they used the spoilt grains in feeding chicken, making animal feed and local brew. Appropriate disposal methods of aflatoxin contaminated food were not known. The knowledge gap was attributed to lack of awareness creation and sensitization by the relevant government ministries. For effective control and prevention of aflatoxin contamination, farmers and traders need to be aware of the causes of aflatoxin contamination of grains, available mitigation options and health risks attributable to aflatoxin exposure in order to self-regulate. Ministries of health and agriculture, through their public health officers, community health workers and agricultural extension officers respectively need to collaborate and spearhead awareness creation among communities and institute food surveillance systems in Busia County

Aflatoxicosis Dysregulates the Physiological Responses to Crowding Densities in the Marine Teleost Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata)

A fungal toxin, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), undermines growth and stress axes of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) with depletion of somatic carbohydrate and lipid reservoirs. The present study assessed the physiological consequences of high stocking density versus low stocking density in seabream juveniles, which had previously been fed with AFB1 supplementation. These stressors are likely to converge by inferring animal welfare and economic profitability in the food animal industry. Interestingly, AFB1 seems to cause physiological and molecular dysfunction in response to overcrowding densities. Our results might be relevant to elucidate a potential risk for fish farming that is often overlooked. Several studies in fish have shown that aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) causes a disparity of species-dependent physiological disorders without compromising survival. We studied the effect of dietary administration of AFB1 (2 mg AFB1 kg(-1) diet) in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles in combination with a challenge by stocking density (4 vs. 40 g L-1). The experimental period duration was ten days, and the diet with AFB1 was administered to the fish for 85 days prior to the stocking density challenge. Our results indicated an alteration in the carbohydrate and lipid metabolites mobilization in the AFB1 fed group, which was intensified at high stocking density (HSD). The CT group at HSD increased plasma cortisol levels, as expected, whereas the AFB1-HSD group did not. The star mRNA expression, an enzyme involved in cortisol synthesis in the head kidney, presented a ninefold increase in the AFB1 group at low stocking density (LSD) compared to the CT-LSD group. Adenohypophyseal gh mRNA expression increased in the AFB1-HSD but not in the CT-HSD group. Overall, these results confirmed that chronic AFB1 dietary exposure alters the adequate endocrinological physiological cascade response in S. aurata, compromising the expected stress response to an additional stressor, such as overcrowding

Use Of Fermented Tarum (Indigofera Zollingeriana) Leaf Flour From Aspergillus Niger On Growth Performance Of Jaya Sakti Carp Larvaes

Tarum leaves (Indigofera zollingeriana) are an alternative local raw material that can be used as fish feed. I. zollingeriana has a fairly good protein content, namely 29.06%, which is needed for fish growth. The use of I. zollingeriana is faced with the obstacle of a high fiber content of 15.25%, which reduces feed digestibility and inhibits fish growth. Efforts to overcome this problem are through a fermentation process, one of which uses Aspergillus niger. Research was conducted to determine the use of I. zollingeriana leaf meal fermented by A. niger in feed on the growth performance of Jaya Sakti goldfish (Cyprinus carpio, L). The design used in this research was a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 4 treatments, namely the use of I. zollingeriana leaf flour fermented by A. niger in feed at 0%, 15%, 30% and 45% and 4 treatments each. test. The test fish used were 7-8 cm long, weighed 8-9 grams, 20 fish/m3 in happa measuring 2x2x1 m3 and each equipped with aeration. The test fish were fed at a feeding rate of 7%/BW with a feeding frequency of 5 times a day. The results of the research showed that the best specific growth rate (SGR) value was the use of 0% fermented I. zollingeriana leaf flour (control) of 1.46%/day. Utilization of 15% fermented I. zollingeriana leaf flour gave the highest specific growth rate (SGR) value (1.09%/day) compared to 30% utilization (0.91%/day) and 45% utilization (0.65%/day). Business analysis is based specifically on feed costs using FCR calculations, where commercial feed provides higher profits (Rp. 5,320/kg). Utilization of 30% I. zollingeriana leaf flour fermented by A. niger can provide higher profits (Rp. 3,305/kg) compared to 15% (Rp. 2,579/kg) and 45% (Rp. 667/kg)

Aplikasi mikroba pada upaya peningkatan kualitas bahan baku pakan ikan melalui fermentasi

Kemajuan teknologi budidaya telah membuat industri akuakultur berkembang sangat dinamis dan peningkatan produktivitas budidaya tersebut sejalan dengan kebutuhan terhadap konsistensi pasokan pakan. Di sisi lain, harga pakan yang terus meningkat menjadi masalah yang krusial. Keterbatasan ketersediaan tepung ikan yang merupakan bahan baku sumber protein utama, merupakan salah satu faktor penyebab tingginya harga pakan. Upaya pencarian bahan baku non konvensional dilakukan untuk mengatasi hal tersebut. Bahan baku non konvensional memang relatif ekonomis, tetapi penggunaannya secara langsung dalam pakan terkendala oleh beberapa faktor yang berpengaruh buruk terhadap kecernaan, pemanfaatan nutrien, pertumbuhan hingga kesehatan ikan. Perbaikan kualitas diperlukan agar pemanfaatan bahan baku non konvensional di dalam pakan bisa optimal dan aplikasi mikroba melalui metode fermentasi menjadi salah satu pilihan. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk mengulas pemanfaatan bahan baku non konvensional hasil fermentasi dalam mendukung kegiatan akuakultur berkelanjutan.

Kenya County Climate Risk Profile: Kirinyaga County

“This study is the product of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Co-operatives of Kenya (MoALFC), with assistance from the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the Consultative Group on International Research (CGIAR) Research Programme on Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security (CCAFS), as part of the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP), supported by the World Bank (WB). The document has been developed under the coordination of Evan Girvetz (Alliance of Bioversity-CIAT) and John Kimani (National Project Coordinator, NARIGP), under the technical leadership of Stephanie Jaquet and Caroline Mwongera with contributions from (in alphabetical order): Harold A.E. Achicanoy, Alejandra Esquivel, Aniruddha Ghosh, Jonathan Gichuru, Dorcas Jalang’o, Stella Kasura, Ivy Kinyua, Victor Mugo, Jessica Mukiri, Wilson Nguru, Fridah Nyakundi, Ruth Odhiambo, Julian Ramirez-Villegas”County Climate Risk Profiles are a key tool to guide climate smart agriculture (CSA) investments and priorities at the county level in Kenya. These documents provide analyses of the underlying causes of vulnerability and on-going and potential climate change adaptation strategies. They also provide a snapshot of the enabling environment for building resilience by providing a synthesis of the policy, institutional and governance context. Complementary materials such as map books and annexes for productivity of major agricultural commodities, climate analysis, adaptation options, and methodological details are also provided

ICRISAT Annual Report 2002 'Research for Impact'

After alleviation of hunger, health is the ultimate goal of most agricultural research. New data in aflatoxin research reveals the extent to which this is true. Aflatoxin, a potent poison that contaminates groundnut and other crops, is very common but difficult to detect. A sample survey by ICRISAT researchers in Andhra Pradesh examined the extent of aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts, chilies and various spices (ginger, black pepper, turmeric and coriander). The results revealed that a frighteningly large number of groundnut byproducts like chikkies (peanut crunch candy) were contaminated