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Imprint
Development and implementation of sustainable strategies to improve food-safety and retain nutritional values by reducing fungal infestation and aflatoxin contamination in the food-chain in Kenya as model region for Sub-Saharan Africa - subproject 4 (AflaZ)
Project
Project code: 2816PROC14
Contract period: 01.11.2018
- 31.12.2023
Budget: 244,369 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: food toxicology, soil, maize, food security, plant diseases (virusus, bacteria, fungi, phytoplasma), crop production, inter-municipal cooperation, rural infrastructure, consumer behaviour, poison/toxins
Maize and milk are food products, which are highly accepted and commonly consumed by the African population. However, both staples, livestock feed and milk, are frequently and heavily contaminated with fungal aflatoxins. This results in a constant exposure of the population to toxin levels far above the recommended limits. Nevertheless, the consumption of these products is steadily increasing. Therefore, AflaZ focusses on improving food safety and quality standards of milk, maize and its respective processed products. Kenya is used as an example, as it is a high-risk region with regard to fungal infestation and aflatoxin contamination of animal feeds and food products. Within the frame of AflaZ, fast, effective and sustainable methods to monitor, to analyze and to reduce fungal infestation and aflatoxin contamination on field and in storage will be developed. Subproject 4 analyses soil interactions that are likely to increase the incidence of mycotoxins in agricultural soils and harvested products. Specifically, it aims to improve the understanding of the physicochemical and microbial soil processes that may determine interactions between soil quality status and the susceptibility of mycotoxin contamination in the soil and in the harvested products. Besides, the information and communication behavior of farmers in Kenya will be assessed to develop a better understanding of the factors that are relevant to influence their behavior. These results will be used to support the planned dissemination of information and to optimally align knowledge transfer with the needs of the targeted farmers.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Production
- Food microbiology
- Process engineering
- Toxicology
