The scourge of aflatoxins in Kenya: A 60-year review (1960 to 2020)

dc.contributor.authorOmara, Timothy
dc.contributor.authorKiprop, Ambrose K
dc.contributor.authorWangila, Phanice
dc.contributor.authorWacoo, Alex P
dc.contributor.authorKagoya, Sarah
dc.contributor.authorNteziyaremye, Papias
dc.contributor.authorOdero, Mark P
dc.contributor.authorNakigul, Caroline K
dc.contributor.authorObakiro, Samuel B
dc.date.accessioned2021-09-29T14:07:47Z
dc.date.available2021-09-29T14:07:47Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.descriptionResearch Journal of Food Qualityen_US
dc.description.abstractAflatoxins are endemic in Kenya. The 2004 outbreak of acute aflatoxicosis in the country was one of the unprecedented epidemics of human aflatoxin poisoning recorded in mycotoxin history. In this study, an elaborate review was performed to synthesize Kenya’s major findings in relation to aflatoxins, their prevalence, detection, quantification, exposure assessment, prevention, and management in various matrices. Data retrieved indicate that the toxins are primarily biosynthesized by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, with the eastern part of the country reportedly more aflatoxin-prone. Aflatoxins have been reported in maize and maize products (Busaa, chan’gaa, githeri, irio, muthokoi, uji, and ugali), peanuts and its products, rice, cassava, sorghum, millet, yams, beers, dried fish, animal feeds, dairy and herbal products, and sometimes in tandem with other mycotoxins. The highest total aflatoxin concentration of 58,000 μg/kg has been reported in maize. At least 500 acute human illnesses and 200 deaths due to aflatoxins have been reported. The causes and prevalence of aflatoxins have been grossly ascribed to poor agronomic practices, low education levels, and inadequate statutory regulation and sensitization. Low diet diversity has aggravated exposure to aflatoxins in Kenya because maize as a dietetic staple is aflatoxin-prone. Detection and surveillance are only barely adequate, though some exposure assessments have been conducted. There is a need to widen diet diversity as a measure of reducing exposure due to consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated foods.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipWorld Bank and the Inter-University Council of East Africaen_US
dc.identifier.citationOmara, T., Kiprop, A. K., Wangila, P., Wacoo, A. P., Kagoya, S., Nteziyaremye, P., ... & Baker Obakiro, S. (2021). The scourge of aflatoxins in Kenya: a 60-year review (1960 to 2020). Journal of Food Quality, 2021.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir-library.kabianga.ac.ke/handle/123456789/197
dc.publisherJournal of food qualityen_US
dc.subjectAflatoxinsen_US
dc.subjectcontaminateden_US
dc.subjectcerealsen_US
dc.subjectcereal based productsen_US
dc.titleThe scourge of aflatoxins in Kenya: A 60-year review (1960 to 2020)en_US

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