Integrated Management of Aflatoxin Contamination: Progress towards Enhancing Food and Feed Quality and Human and Animal Health

1. THE PROBLEM Aflatoxins are the secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus in several crops and commodities. They are carcinogenic, teratogenic and immunosuppressants that are implicated in growth retardation in children, immune-suppression, interference in micronutrient metabolism, liver cirrhosis, liver and esophageal cancers and decreased human and animal productivity (Figure 1). Acute severe intoxication of aflatoxin can result in death. Research in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has shown that aflatoxin contamination is widespread in staple crops like groundnut, maize, millet, chillies, sorghum, etc., and even in milk from animals fed with contaminated feed. In the developed countries, aflatoxins are regulated through good production and post-harvest practices and stringent food safety monitoring. However, application of such strategies in the developing countries are difficult due to differences in production practices, food insufficiency, lack of resources and technology for monitoring and poor awareness about the problem. Consequently, people in these countries are chronically exposed to aflatoxins. The ICRISAT and CGIAR recognizes the economic and health implications of aflatoxins as an important constraint to the goal of improving human health and well-being through agriculture, and pursue various strategies to eliminate aflatoxin contamination in food and feed (CGIAR Priority 2C: Enhancing Nutritional Quality and Safety). ICRISAT’s efforts are primarily focused on preventing aflatoxin contamination in groundnut, a key commodity in the livelihood of the rural poor in the semi-arid tropics (SAT). It is one of the most susceptible crops to the invasion by Aspergillus sp. Due to high incidence of aflatoxin contamination, groundnut export shares in Asia and SSA region have declined during the last four decades. Moreover farmers in poor countries trade best quality produce, while poor quality nuts are consumed locally thereby harming their health. Therefore, a major emphasis has been placed on reducing the risk of aflatoxin contamination in groundnut grown in the SAT.