Natural multi-occurrence of mycotoxins in rice from Niger State, Nigeria

Twenty-one rice samples from field (ten), store (six) and market (five) from the traditional rice-growing areas of Niger State, Nigeria were analysed for aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisin B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2), and patulin (PAT) by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) respectively. T-2 toxin was determined using TLC only. AFs were detected in all samples, at total AF concentrations of 28–372 μg/kg. OTA was found in 66.7% of the samples, also at high concentrations (134–341 μg/kg) that have to be considered as critical levels in aspects of nephrotoxicity. ZEA (53.4%), DON (23.8), FB1 (14.3%) and FB2 (4.8%) were also found in rice, although at relatively low levels. T-2 toxin was qualitatively detected by TLC in only one sample. Co-contamination with AFs, OTA, and ZEA was very common, and up to five mycotoxins were detected in a single sample. The high AF and OTA levels as found in rice in this study are regarded as unsafe, and multi-occurrences of mycotoxins in the rice samples with possible additive or synergistic toxic effects in consumers raise concern with respect to public health

Significance, Prevention and Control of Food Related Diseases

Food-borne diseases are major causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. It is estimated that about 2.2 million people die yearly due to food and water contamination. Food safety and consequently food security are therefore of immense importance to public health, international trade and world economy. This book, which has 10 chapters, provides information on the incidence, health implications and effective prevention and control strategies of food-related diseases. The book will be useful to undergraduate and postgraduate students, educators and researchers in the fields of life sciences, medicine, agriculture, food science and technology, trade and economics. Policy makers and food regulatory officers will also find it useful in the course of their duties

Physicochemical Evaluation of Bovine Milk in North Central Nigeria

Introduction: Physiochemical analysis is an important tool to monitor the quality of milk and other dairy products. Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the physicochemical quality of the bovine milk in three selected states from the North Central, Nigeria. Study Design: To determine pH, titratable acidity TTA, specific gravity SG, Viscosity and freezing point FP of cattle milk obtained from 15 Local Government Areas in North Central, Nigeria Place and Duration of Study: Three states were selected from the North Central Zone of Nigeria which includes Niger, Kwara and Kogi States. A total of the 15 Local Government Areas LGAs. These include; Edati-idati, Agaie, Bosso, Mariga, and Rafi (Niger state), Patigi, Ilorin East, Ilorin West, Ifelodun, and Moro (Kwara state), Okene, Ibaji, Kabba, Idah and Lokoja (Kogi state).The sampled lasted for a year six months. Methodology: A total of 180 cattle milk samples were collected from local producers and local vendors hawked, stationed in a market and from local milk producers. The pH, TTA, SG, Viscosity, FP of the milk samples were determined using pH meter, titration, Lactometer, viscometer, thermistor cryoscope Results: The range values for pH, TTA, SG, Viscosity and FP of cow milk were 5.20-6.20, 0.09-1.91% lactic acid, 1.026-1.060 g/m/s, 150-184 cp and -0.442 to -0.532°C. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in pH values of milk product within each state. Out of 15 LGAs of the state, five LGAs milk samples did not conform to 1.027-1.035 g per mL set by World Health Organisation, WHO standard, while four LGAs had <1.020 specific gravity. Milk sampled from Mariga LGA had a highest FP (-0.442±0.007°C) while Edati LGA milk had -0.525±0.003°C lowest freezing point. Conclusion: The findings revealed that most of the milk samples were adulterated with water and as such are unsafe for consumption

Are sample size and sample preparation for mycotoxin quantitation in grain products getting trivialized?

Sampling and sample preparation (grinding and subsampling) are largest sources of variability that negate precision and accuracy of mycotoxin quantitation, particularly in grains. In general, halving sample or subsample (e.g., ground test portion) size doubles variance. Therefore, this paper reports on trends in sample and test portion masses used for the quantification of mycotoxin in maize between 1991 and 2020 by reviewing articles on mycotoxin quantitation in maize (grain and flour) published during this period. About 50% of the articles did not explicitly state the sample mass that was ground. Sample and test portion masses show a significant (p < 0.05) decline over the study period. In addition, over two-thirds of the articles did not specify the type of grinder and sieve sizes used in their analysis. Therefore, our findings suggest that standardized sampling plans with emphasis on laboratory sample size and sample preparation methods for maize are increasingly being overlooked during mycotoxin quantitation and increasing the uncertainty associated with estimating the true mycotoxin concentration in grain lots

Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies of aqueous and methanol extracts of Nelsonia campestris in rats

Objective: To evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity of aqueous and methanol extracts of Nelsonia campestris (N. campestris) in rats. Methods: Acute oral toxicity study of aqueous and methanol extracts was carried out by administration of 10, 100, 1000, 1600, 2900 and 5000 mg/kg body weight of N. campestris extracts to rats in the respective groups. Sub-acute toxicity study was conducted by oral administration of the extracts at daily doses of 100, 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight to another group of rats for 28 days, while rats in the control group received 0.5 mL of normal saline. Results: The LD50 of the N. campestris extracts in rats was determined to be greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the test groups administered with aqueous and methanol extracts in relation to the control group for serum electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl−, HCO3−), serum albumin, total and conjugated bilirubin. Similarly, mean organ-to-body weight ratio and all haematological parameters (white blood cell, red blood cell, mean cell volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume) evaluated were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the control. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the activity of serum liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase), serum urea and creatinine of rats administered with 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight of the aqueous extract. Methanol and aqueous extracts at 600 mg/kg body weight resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.05) in serum urea and total protein, respectively. The activity of serum alanine aminotransferase decreased significantly (P < 0.05) when the rats received 100 and 300 mg/kg body weight of both extracts. Histopathological examination revealed mild to moderate hepatic and cortical necrosis of liver and kidney respectively on administration of both extracts at 100 and 600 mg/kg body weight. A moderate dose of 300 mg/kg body weight of the aqueous and methanol extracts caused lymphocytic infiltration and portal congestion, respectively. Conclusions: Intake of high doses of this plant extracts may exhibit mild organ toxicity