Effect of soil physio-chemical parameters on the prevalence of aflatoxin-producing fungal species in maize agro-ecosystems of Tanzania

Paper Details

Research Paper 08/10/2024
Views (63) Download (9)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Effect of soil physio-chemical parameters on the prevalence of aflatoxin-producing fungal species in maize agro-ecosystems of Tanzania

Owekisha H. Kwigizile, Ernest R. Mbega, Marco E. Mng’ong’o, Arnold A. Mushongi, Mashamba Philipo
Int. J. Biosci.25( 4), 193-207, October 2024.
Certificate: IJB 2024 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

Despite the significance of maize (Zea mays L.) in Tanzania, Aflatoxin contamination poses significant risks to food and nutrition security, human health, and economic losses.  Aflatoxin emanates from farms and farming systems which are managed by small-scale resource poor farmers. Virtually such production conditions favor predominance of Aflatoxins in the food and feed systems. However, relatively little is known about contaminants relationship on the soil ecosystems. The current study explored correlation of soil physio-chemical characteristics and aflatoxin-producing fungal species, particularly A. flavus and A. parasiticus, in maize-growing regions of Tanzania. Soil samples were collected from seven districts of Babati and Kiteto (Manyara region), Chemba, Kondoa and Bahi (Dodoma region) and Nzega and Urambo (Tabora region) previously reported high level of contamination and analyzed for physio-chemical parameters. The macro-morphological identification method was used for fungal identification from soil samples. Results exposed sandy loam soil texture was dominant across districts, low proportions of clay particles and silt. Soil chemical properties differed significantly at (P ≤ 0.001) for pH, organic matter, Total N, S, B, and EC, implicating that soil fertility status were diverse among studied districts. The correlations between soil characteristics and fungal prevalence revealed a significant correlation between certain soil physio-chemical parameters and aflatoxin-producing fungal abundance in maize agro-ecosystem. Two species namely A. flavus (38.1%) and A. parasiticus (22.2%) were dominant genera from soil samples compared to maize samples hence source of inoculums being from soil. These findings underscore the importance of soil management practices in mitigating aflatoxin contamination in maize.

VIEWS 21

Abbas HK, Wilkinson JR, Zablotowicz RM, Accinelli C, Abel CA, Bruns HA, Weaver MA. 2009. Ecology of Aspergillus flavus, regulation of aflatoxin production, and management strategies to reduce aflatoxin contamination of corn. Toxin Reviews 28(2–3), 142–153. https://doi.org/10.1080/15569540903081590

Academic W. 2021. Aflatoxin contamination in Tanzania: quantifying the problem in maize and groundnuts from rural households. World Mycotoxin Journal 14(4), 553–564. https://doi.org/10.3920/WMJ2020.2646

Agape K, Ndesendo VMK, Begum S. 2021. Screening of aflatoxin-producing fungi in maize and groundnuts from three regions in Tanzania. 47(2), 609–615.

Benkerroum N. 2020. Aflatoxins: Producing-molds, structure, health issues, and incidence in Southeast Asian and Sub-Saharan African countries. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17041215

Boni SB, Beed F, Kimanya ME, Koyano E, Mponda O, Mamiro D, Kaoneka B, Bandyopadhyay R, Korie S, Mahuku G. 2021. Aflatoxin contamination in Tanzania: quantifying the problem in maize and groundnuts from rural households. World Mycotoxin Journal 14(4), 553–564. https://doi.org/10.3920/WMJ2020.2646

Buckner CA, Lafrenie RM, Dénommée JA, Caswell JM, Want DA, Gan GG, Leong YC, Bee PC, Chin E, Teh AKH, Picco S, Villegas L, Tonelli F, Merlo M, Rigau J, Diaz D, Masuelli M, Korrapati S, Kurra P, Mathijssen RHJ. 2016. Advanced biometric technologies and liveness detection in biometrics. IntechOpen. https://www.intechopen.com/books/advanced-biometric-technologies/liveness-detection-in-biometrics

Bulta AL. 2017. Assessment and mapping of status and spatial distribution of soil macronutrients in Kambata Tembaro. September 2016. https://doi.org/10.15406/apar.2016.04.00144

Cardwell KF, Cotty PJ. 2002. Distribution of Aspergillus section Flavi among field soils from the four agroecological zones of the Republic of Bénin, West Africa. Plant Disease 86(4), 434–439. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS.2002.86.4.434

Cetinbas FC, Ahluwalia RK, Polymer P, Membrane E, Kulikovsky A, Smiley KT. 2018. Isolation and identification of soil fungi isolates from forest soil for flooded soil recovery. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/342/1/012028

Cotty PJ, Mellon JE. 2006. Ecology of aflatoxin-producing fungi and biocontrol of aflatoxin contamination. Mycotoxin Research 22(2), 110–117. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02956774

Dangwa N, Dhlamini Z, S A. 2014. Molecular characterization of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species in dried traditional foods in Zimbabwe. Advances in Bioresearch 5(1), 29–36. https://doi.org/10.15515/abr.0976-4585.5.29-36

Elias NKS. 2016. Aflatoxins: A silent threat in developing countries. African Journal of Biotechnology 15(35), 1864–1870. https://doi.org/10.5897/ajb2016.15305

Falade T. 2019. Aflatoxin management strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mycotoxins – Impact and Management Strategies. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.78784

Fouché T, Claassens S, Maboeta M. 2020. Aflatoxins in the soil ecosystem: an overview of its occurrence, fate, effects, and future perspectives. Mycotoxin Research 36(3), 303–309. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12550-020-00393-w

Fouché T. 2020. Aflatoxins in the soil ecosystem: an overview of its occurrence, fate, effects, and future perspectives.

Frederick B, Sabula L, Mruma S, Mzee F, Mtoka E, Masigo J, Ndunguru A, Swai E. 2020. Maize production manual for smallholder farmers in Tanzania. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture 32.

Frisvad JC, Hubka V, Ezekiel CN, Hong SB, Nováková A, Chen AJ, Arzanlou M, Larsen TO, Sklenář F, Mahakarnchanakul W, Samson RA, Houbraken J. 2019. Taxonomy of Aspergillus section Flavi and their production of aflatoxins, ochratoxins, and other mycotoxins. Studies in Mycology 93, 1–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.simyco.2018.06.001

Garber RK, Cotty PJ. 1997. Formation of sclerotia and aflatoxins in developing cotton bolls infected by the S strain of Aspergillus flavus  and potential for biocontrol with an atoxigenic strain. Phytopathology. 87(9), 940–945. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO.1997.87.9.940

Gbashi S, Madala NE, De Saeger S, De Boevre M, Adekoya I, Adebo OA, Njobeh PB. 2019. The socio-economic impact of mycotoxin contamination in Africa. Mycotoxins – Impact and Management Strategies 3–22. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.79328

Geiser DM, Klich MA, Frisvad JC, Peterson SW, Varga J, Samson RA. 2007. The current status of species recognition and identification in Aspergillus. Studies in Mycology 59, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3114/sim.2007.59.01

Githang’a D, Anzala O, Mutegi C, Agweyu A. 2019. The effects of exposures to mycotoxins on immunity in children: A systematic review. Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care 49(5), 109–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cppeds.2019.04.004

Gong YY, Watson S, Routledge MN. 2016. Aflatoxin exposure and associated human health effects, a review of epidemiological studies. Food Safety 4(1), 14–27. https://doi.org/10.14252/foodsafetyfscj.2015026

Gugnani HC. 2003. Ecology and taxonomy of pathogenic aspergilli. Frontiers in Bioscience. 8(SUPPL.). https://doi.org/10.2741/1002

Horn BW. 2003. Ecology and population biology of aflatoxigenic fungi in soil. Journal of Toxicology – Toxin Reviews 22(2–3), 351–379. https://doi.org/10.1081/TXR-120024098

Jaime-Garcia R, Cotty PJ. 2004. Aspergillus flavus  in soils and corncobs in South Texas: Implications for management of aflatoxins in corn-cotton rotations. Plant Disease 88(12), 1366–1371. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS.2004.88.12.1366

Kalonga J, Mtei K, Massawe B, Kimaro A, Winowiecki A. 2024. Characterization of soil health and nutrient content status across the Environmental Challenges 14(January), 100847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2024.100847

Kamei K, Watanabe A. 2005. Aspergillus mycotoxins and their effect on the host. Medical Mycology 43(SUPPL.1), 95–99. https://doi.org/10.1080/13693780500051547

Kenngott KGJ, Albert J, Meyer-wolfarth F, Schaumann GE. 2022. Fusarium mycotoxins in maize field soils: Method validation and implications for sampling strategy. 1–21.

Khan R, Ghazali FM, Mahyudin NA, Samsudin NIP. 2021. Biocontrol of aflatoxins using non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus: A literature review. Journal of Fungi 7(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7050381 

Kibwana M, Kimbokota F, Christopher R, Mmongoyo JA. 2023. Aflatoxins in stored maize, maize flours, and stiff porridge consumed in schools: A case study of Dodoma region, Tanzania. Food Control 146, 109519. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FOODCONT.2022.109519

Kimanya ME, Routledge MN, Mpolya E, Ezekiel CN, Shirima CP, Gong YY. 2021. Estimating the risk of aflatoxin-induced liver cancer in Tanzania based on biomarker data. PLoS ONE. 16(3 March), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247281

Kinyenje E, Kishimba R, Mohamed M, Mwafulango A, Eliakimu E, Kwesigabo G. 2023. Aflatoxicosis outbreak and its associated factors in Kiteto, Chemba and Kondoa Districts, Tanzania. PLOS Global Public Health 3(8), e0002191. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002191

Kinyungu S, Isakeit T, Ojiambo PS, Woloshuk CP. 2019. Spread of Aspergillus flavus  and aflatoxin accumulation in postharvested maize treated with biocontrol products. Journal of Stored Products Research 84, 101519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2019.101519

Klich MA. 2007. Aspergillus flavus: the major producer of aflatoxin. 8, 713–722. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1364-3703.2007.00436.X

Kumar A, Pathak H, Bhadauria S. 2021. Aflatoxin contamination in food crops: causes, detection, and management: a review.

Kumar V, Vyas U, Singh D. 2008. Dynamics of soil population of Aspergillus flavus  and aflatoxin contamination in groundnut-based production system in Gujarat. January.

Liu Y, Chang CCH, Marsh GM, Wu F. 2012. Population attributable risk of aflatoxin-related liver cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Cancer 48(14), 2125–2136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2012.02.009

Mahuku G, Mauro A, Pallangyo B, Nsami E, Boni SB, Koyano E, Mponda O, Ortega-Beltran A, Atehnkeng J, Aquiline F, Samuel R, Njela J, Cotty PJ, Bandyopadhyay R. 2023. Atoxigenic-based technology for biocontrol of aflatoxin in maize and groundnuts for Tanzania. World Mycotoxin Journal. 16(1), 59–73. https://doi.org/10.3920/wmj2021.2758

Mahuku G, Nzioki HS, Mutegi C, Kanampiu F, Narrod C, Makumbi D. 2019. Pre-harvest management is a critical practice for minimizing aflatoxin contamination of maize. Food Control 96(June 2018), 219–226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2018.08.032

Makhuvele R, Naidu K, Gbashi S, Thipe VC, Adebo OA, Njobeh PB. 2020. The use of plant extracts and their phytochemicals for control of toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins. Heliyon 6(10), e05291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05291

Manoza FS, Mushongi AA, Harvey J, Wainaina J, Wanjuki I, Ngeno R, Darnell R, Gnonlonfin BGJ, Massomo SMS. 2017. Potential of using host plant resistance, nitrogen, and phosphorus fertilizers for reduction of Aspergillus flavus  colonization and aflatoxin accumulation in maize in Tanzania. Crop Protection 93, 98–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2016.11.021

Massomo SMS. 2020. Aspergillus flavus  and aflatoxin contamination in the maize value chain and what needs to be done in Tanzania. Scientific African 10, e00606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2020.e00606

Mfaume J. 2019. Managing aflatoxin–producing fungi using indigenous atoxigenic strains of Aspergillus species in groundnut in Mtwara region, Tanzania.

Monda E, Masanga J, Alakonya A. 2020. Variation in occurrence and aflatoxigenicity of Aspergillus flavus  from two climatically varied regions in Kenya. Toxins 12(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins12010034

Mtega M, Mgina CA, Kaale E, Sempombe J, Kilulya KF. 2020. Occurrence of aflatoxins in maize and maize products from selected locations of Tanzania and the effects of cooking preparation processes on toxin levels. Tanzania Journal of Science 2(46), 407–418.

Musleh MH, Al-ouqaili MTS. 2018. Isolation of Aspergillus flavus  from some clinical and environmental sources by HPLC and PCR techniques. May.

Ncube J, Maphosa M. 2020. Current state of knowledge on groundnut aflatoxins and their management from a plant breeding perspective: Lessons for Africa. Scientific African 7, e00264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2020.e00264

Negash D. 2018. A review of aflatoxin: occurrence, prevention, and gaps in both food and feed safety. Journal of Nutritional Health and Food Engineering 8(2), 190–197. https://doi.org/10.15406/jnhfe.2018.08.00268

Nji QN, Babalola OO, Mwanza M. 2022. Aflatoxins in maize: Can their occurrence be effectively managed in Africa in the face of climate change and food insecurity? Toxins 14(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14080574

Nji QN, Babalola OO. 2023. Soil Aspergillus species, pathogenicity and control perspectives. 1–16.

Odhiambo BO, Wagara IN. 2013. Isolation and characterization of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species from maize and soil samples from selected counties of Kenya. African Journal of Microbiology Research 7(34), 4379–4388. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJMR2013.5846

Okayo RO, Andika DO, Dida MM, K’otuto GO, Gichimu BM. 2020. Morphological and molecular characterization of toxigenic Aspergillus flavus  from groundnut kernels in Kenya. International Journal of Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8854718

Okun DO, Khamis FM, Muluvi GM, Ngeranwa JJ, Ombura FO, Yongo MO, Kenya EU. 2015. Distribution of indigenous strains of atoxigenic and toxigenic Aspergillus flavus  and Aspergillus parasiticus in maize and peanuts agro-ecological zones of Kenya. Agriculture and Food Security 4(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-015-0033-5

Peles F, Sipos P, Kovács S, Győri Z, Pócsi I, Pusztahelyi T. 2021. Biological control and mitigation of aflatoxin contamination in commodities. Toxins 13(2), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13020104

Pitt JI, Hocking AD. 2013. Fungi and Food Spoilage. Springer 53(9).

Schenzel J, Forrer H, Vogelgsang S, Hungerbu K, Bucheli TD. 2012. Mycotoxins in the environment: I. Production and emission from an agricultural test field.

Shabeer S, Asad S, Jamal A, Ali A. 2022. Aflatoxin contamination, its impact, and management strategies: An updated review. Toxins 14(5), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14050307

Tai B, Chang J, Liu Y, Xing F. 2020. Recent progress of the effect of environmental factors on Aspergillus flavus  growth and aflatoxins production on foods. Food Quality and Safety 4(1), 21–28. https://doi.org/10.1093/fqsafe/fyz040

Tola M, Kebede B. 2016. Occurrence, importance, and control of mycotoxins: A review. Cogent Food and Agriculture 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2016.1191103

Wang H, Zhao R, Zhao D, Liu S, Fu J, Zhang Y, Dai N, Song D, Ding H. 2022. Microbial-mediated emissions of greenhouse gas from farmland soils: A review. Processes 10(11), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10112361

Wang X, Wang D, Zhang S, Zhu M, Yang Q, Dong J, Zhang Q, Feng P. 2023. Research progress related to aflatoxin contamination and prevention and control of soils. Toxins 15(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15080475

Wilson RT, Lewis J. 2017. The maize value chain in Tanzania. FAO 14–36.