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Distribution of mycotoxins and risk assessment of maize consumers in five agro-ecological zones of Nigeria

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Abstract

Many individuals are not only food insecure but chronically exposed to high levels of mycotoxins through their diets in many developing countries. Seventy composite samples of stored maize grains were collected from farmers’ storage structures in five agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Nigeria where maize is predominantly produced between August 2011 and February 2012. The grains were analysed for mycotoxin contamination with the liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method and mycotoxin occurrence maps constructed from the database of the distribution of the toxins. A risk assessment was also carried out in order to provide information on the extent of human exposure to the toxins. Twelve regulated mycotoxins with negative economic and public health consequences were detected in the maize grains across the AEZs at concentrations exceeding the maximum allowable limits including AFM1 that was detected for the first time in Nigerian maize. There is a high risk of contamination of the stored grains by Nigerian consumers especially in the Derived and Southern Guinea Savannas, resulting in a national burden of between 126.85 and 38,682.29 DALYs. Intervention strategies are therefore needed across the AEZs to ensure that safe and wholesome foods are made available to the populace.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to our colleagues at the Department of Agrobiotechnology (IFA-Tulln), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria, for assisting us with mycotoxin analysis.

Conflict of interest

None.

Compliance with Ethics Requirements

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

    M. C. Adetuniji

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, McPherson University, Km 96, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Seriki-Sotayo, P.M.B. 2094, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

    O. O. Atanda

  3. Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria

    C. N. Ezekiel

  4. Mycotoxicology Society of Nigeria, Central Laboratory Complex, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, Oshodi, P. M. B. 21482 Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

    M. C. Adetuniji, O. O. Atanda & C. N. Ezekiel

  5. Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

    A. O. Dipeolu

  6. Department of Biotechnology, Federal University Oye–Ekiti, P.M.B. 373, Oye–Ekiti, Nigeria

    S. V. A. Uzochukwu

  7. Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

    J. Oyedepo

  8. Food, Environment and Health Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein Campus, 2028, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

    C. A. Chilaka

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  1. M. C. Adetuniji
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  2. O. O. Atanda
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  3. C. N. Ezekiel
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  4. A. O. Dipeolu
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  5. S. V. A. Uzochukwu
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  6. J. Oyedepo
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  7. C. A. Chilaka
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Correspondence to O. O. Atanda.

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Adetuniji, M.C., Atanda, O.O., Ezekiel, C.N. et al. Distribution of mycotoxins and risk assessment of maize consumers in five agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. Eur Food Res Technol 239, 287–296 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-014-2221-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-014-2221-0

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