Aflatoxins and aflatoxigenic fungi in export standard white and red sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) from Ethiopia

The oil seed sectors one of the fastest growing sectors in Ethiopia, both in terms of its foreign exchange earnings and as a source of income for millions of Ethiopians. Oilseed crops are recognized to be potentially suitable substrate for the production of aflatoxins by aflatoxigenic fungi. This study intended to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice of sesame exporters about aflatoxins contamination, to characterize the seed and to determine the level of aflatoxins, from export standard white and red Humera and Wollega sesame seeds. Twenty seven ready to export sesame samples were collected from Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) warehouse. Thousand seed weight, moisture, crude fat and peroxide value were determined according to AOAC. Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2 and total aflatoxins were determined at ng/g level by SupelTM Tox Aflazea cartridge clean up and reversed-phase liquid chromatography. Thousand seed weight determined in the range of 2.89-3.22 g/1000 seeds, moisture is 3.33-4.99%, crude fat is 46.75-57.75% and peroxide value is 2-8.2 meq/Kg. Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2 and total aflatoxins detected in the range of 1.32 - 2.12 ng/g, 1.52-31.98 ng/g, 16.2-48.28 ng/g, 0.56-9.04 ng/g and 0.44-64.96 ng/g, respectively. The aflatoxins contamination of sesame seeds could ruin the oilseed export and thus decrease the revenues of the state

The Threat of Cholera in Africa

A multi-country cholera outbreak has occurred in several developing countries in Africa, Asia and Oceania since mid-2021. The current multi-country cholera outbreak has spread primarily in Africa. As of February 2023, cholera cases have been reported in approximately 25 countries, 15 (60%) of which are in sub-Saharan Africa. According to the World Health Organization, 547,626 confirmed cases and 4,927 total deaths were recorded until August 2023. Of these, approximately 33.68% cases (184,474) and 64.2% deaths (3,165) occurred in African countries, and the number may increase in the coming months. Although various organizations and local administrations have made response efforts, the response capacity for multiple outbreaks is insufficient, and the outbreak has been exacerbated by a global lack of resources, cholera vaccine shortages, climatic effects, a lack of supplies and the occurrence of other health emergencies. Herein, the rapid review method was used, with emphasis on available and recent global information found in Google Scholar, PubMed and data publicly available from websites. This review article provides current alert information regarding the broad spread and upsurge characteristics of the ongoing cholera outbreak

Aflatoxin M₁ in Raw Milk, Pasteurized Milk and Cottage Cheese Collected along Value Chain Actors from Three Regions of Ethiopia

Milk is a highly nutritious and perfect natural food for humans. However, when lactating animals feed on Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-containing feed, the hydroxyl metabolite aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contaminates the milk and dairy products. The objective of the current study was to assess the level of AFM1 in raw milk, normally pasteurized milk and Ethiopian cottage cheese collected from value chain actors (producers, collectors, processors and retailers). Cross-sectional study and simple random techniques were used to collect primary samples. A total of 160 composite samples was collected; raw milk (n = 64), pasteurized milk (n = 64) and cheese (n = 32) was analyzed. Quantitative analysis of AFM1 was conducted using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results indicate that AFM1 was detected in all milk products. Results along value chains show that the concentration of AFM1 in raw milk from collectors was significantly higher than from producers, and in pasteurized milk from processors and retailers (p p > 0.05) difference was observed in cottage cheese value-chain actors in all regions. Comparison of AFM1 mean values among all dairy products shows that raw milk had a significantly higher concentration of AFM1 followed by pasteurized milk and cottage cheese. However, there was no significant difference between raw and pasteurized milk (p > 0.05). The mean AFM1 contamination in milk products ranged from 0.137 to 0.319 µg/L (mean value 0.285 µg/L). The contamination percentages of AFM1 in raw milk (62.50%), pasteurized milk (67.20%) and cottage cheese (25%) were above the regulatory limit set by the European Union (EU) (0.05 µg/L). According to USA/Ethiopian Standard (US/ES) (0.50 µg/L), 21.87%, 25% and 1% exceeded the regulatory limit for the above products, respectively. The overall prevalence (56.88%) was above the EU regulatory limit and 19.38% over US/ES regulations. Therefore, to provide accurate information about the health risk to consumers, there is a need to conduct risk assessment studies in consumers of milk and dairy products at different age groups

Nutritional quality and adulterants of cow raw milk, pasteurized and cottage cheese collected along value chain from three regions of Ethiopia

Milk is a nutritionally rich food for humans. However, fulfilling the quality of milk is a major concern for milk factories, nutrient requirements, and public health. The objective of this research was to assess the composition of raw and pasteurized milk and cheese, evaluate change in milk and cheese composition along the value chain, and identify adulteration of milk. A total of 160 composite samples were determined using lactoscan and conventional approved methods along value chain. Results indicate that there were significant (p  0.05) difference in cheese nutritional quality between farmers and retailers. The grand mean for moisture, protein, fat, total ash, Ca, P and pH values were 77.1%, 17.1%, 1.42%, 1.18%, 37.8 mg/100 g, 88.2 mg/100 g and 3.7 respectively. Comparison of liquid products with the Compulsory Ethiopian Standard (CES) indicates that 80.2% for fat, protein, and SNF in raw and pasteurized milk were below the CES. In conclusion, liquid milk had poor nutritional composition and varied along the value chain in the study regions. Moreover, there is milk fraud where all dairy value chain add water into milk and milk consumers are consuming lower nutrients and paying for substandard liquid milk. Therefore, training should be provided to all value chain to improve the quality of milk products and quantification of formalin and other adulterants need to be further studied

Optimization and modeling of teff-maize-rice based formulation by simplex lattice mixture design for the preparation of brighter and acceptable injera

Simplex lattice mixture design was utilized to optimize a brighter and acceptable injera (Ethiopian staple bread). Fourteen formulations of injera were produced from constrained blends of teff (70–100%), maize (0–30%) and rice (0–30%). Investigated responses were proximate, mineral, sensory and lightness (L* value). Nutritional values (g/100 g) ranged from 59.3 to 62.8 (moisture), 1.74 to 2.76 (ash), 11.5 to 14.7 (protein), 2.1 to 2.6 (fat), 3.91 to 5.2 (fiber) and 75.9 to79.4 (carbohydrate). Minerals (mg/100 g) varied from Fe: 17.7 to 25.1, Zn: 1.62–2.10, and Ca: 25.9 to 51.1. Sensory scores for color, taste, texture, number of eyes, eye size, eye distribution, top & bottom surface and overall acceptability were 5.63–7.72, 5.22–6.21, 4.83–7.70, 6.02–7.27, 4.12–5.82, 5.42–6.93, 5.97–7.02, and 5.32–7.25, respectively, while the L* value ranged from 54.9 to 63.1. Optimum formulations of injera in terms of color, overall acceptability and L* value consisted of 70% teff, 0% maize and 30% rice with a desirability of 0.909. Numerical optimization also indicated that better sensory, proximate and mineral qualities are directly related with the proportion of rice; maize and teff, respectively

Level of aflatoxins in industrially brewed local and imported beers collected from Ethiopia market

Eighteen brands; 15 domestic and 3 imported beers were collected from different market across ten sub cities of Addis Ababa. Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 were determined by immuno-affinity column cleanup and reversed-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) related to food quality and safety issues of the beer industries were also assessed. The result showed, out of twelve alcoholic domestic beer brands eleven were positive with a range of total aflatoxin between 1.23 and 12.47 μg/l and one brand was less than Limit of Detection. When comparing this research finding with other studies conducted in different countries, high aflatoxin level was detected in Ethiopian alcoholic beer. Conversely, aflatoxin was not detected in any of non-alcoholic domestic beer brands. Aflatoxin was detected but not quantified in all the three imported beer bands. On the other hand, knowledge about mycotoxin specifically aflatoxin in the beer factories was not satisfactory. In terms of their practice, only 35% of breweries are working under HACCP and most of breweries do not determines level of aflatoxin in incoming raw materials and final products in their laboratories. Fortunately, majority of the alcoholic domestic beer brands were less than 4 μg/l, which is the maximum allowable limit set by EU standard for total aflatoxins. However, two brands were found to be greater than 4 μg/l and unsafe for consumption and require action. Thus, government policymakers should incorporate aflatoxin legislation as mandatory standard and enforce to regulate in Ethiopian beers filling up the existing critical gap

Total aflatoxins in complementary foods produced at community levels using locally available ingredients in Ethiopia

This study was conducted to determine the occurrence and levels of total aflatoxins in complementary foods (CFs) and their ingredients. A total of 126 samples collected from 20 Districts from Amhara, Tigray, Oromia, and Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples (SNNP) regions were analysed for levels of total aflatoxins using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Aflatoxins were detected in 62 out of 66 pre-milling samples with mean range of 0.3-9.9 mu g/kg. Aflatoxins were also detected in 19 out of 20 post-production CFs and in all of the one-month stored CFs at households and grain banks, with a mean range of 0.5-8.0, 3.6-11.3, and 0.2-12.4 mu g/kg, respectively. Overall, 3 out of 126 samples exceeded the maximum limit (10 mu g/kg). Although most aflatoxin levels were below the maximum limit and thus considered to be safe for consumption, more effort should be implemented to reduce contamination, as these CFs are intended for consumption by young children

Vitamin A and zinc deficiencies among tuberculosis patients in Ethiopia

Background: The link between tuberculosis (TB) and malnutrition has long been recognized. Vitamin A and zinc deficiencies may reduce the host defenses and increase the risk for diseases. Objective: The aim of the present study was to estimate the difference in vitamin A and zinc deficiencies together with dietary intakes among pulmonary TB patients and controls. Materials and methods: A case-control study design was employed to undertake this study in North Shewa, Ethiopia. Sputum smear examination, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to analyse acid fast bacilli (AFB), vitamin A, zinc, and C-reactive protein (CRP), respectively. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-h recall questionnaire. Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Chi-square, odds ratio (OR), Spearman correlation, and multinomial logistic regression model were computed for data analyses. Results: In this study, 62 TB cases and 59 controls were included. The proportions of vitamin A deficiency among TB cases and controls were 56.4% and 39.0%, respectively. All TB cases and 92.5% controls were zinc deficient. The odds of TB cases with deficiencies of vitamin A and zinc was 2.3 (95% CI: 1.1 to 4.8)times more likely as compared to the controls. More than 80% of all participants had below average fulfilment of energy and vitamin A intakes. Conclusion: Vitamin A and zinc deficiencies are severe problems among TB patients. Moreover, undernutrition determines the development of TB. Therefore, the management programs of TB need to address the problems of vitamin A and zinc deficiencies together with protein-energy malnutrition. Keywords: Vitamin A, Zinc, Tuberculosis, Ethiopi

Assessment of aflatoxin exposure among young children in Ethiopia using urinary biomarkers

The direct measurement of biomarkers of exposure in biological fluids such as urine has become important for assessing aflatoxin exposure in humans as it is the only tool that integrates exposures from various routes. For this reason, a study was conducted to assess aflatoxin exposure among young children in Ethiopia using urinary biomarkers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in ten Woredas (Districts) from Amhara and Tigray regional states of Ethiopia including 200 children (aged 1-4years). A total of 200 urine samples were collected from 200 children and assessed for the levels of aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)), aflatoxin B-2 (AFB(2)), aflatoxin G(1) (AFG(1)), aflatoxin G(2) (AFG(2)) and aflatoxin M-1 (AFM(1)) using a validated LC-MS/MS method. Aflatoxins were detected in 34/200 (17%) of the urine samples whereby four out of five analysed aflatoxins were detected. AFM(1) was detected in 14/200 (7%) of the urine samples in a range of 0.06-0.07ng/mL. AFB(2), AFG(2) and AFG(1) were detected in respectively 9/200 (4.5%), 6/200 (3%) and 5/200 (2.5%) of the urine samples whereas AFB(1) was not detected in any of the samples. In this study, there was no association between the different malnutrition categories (stunted, wasting and underweight) and aflatoxin exposure. However, the biomarker analysis showed a clear exposure of young children to aflatoxins. Therefore, awareness to the public is important to prevent potential health consequences of aflatoxins