Spatial and temporal variations in contamination of mycotoxins in sub-humid, semi-arid areas of Eastern Central Tanzania

Abstract

Studies were conducted to determine the incidences and levels of mycotoxin contamination in household stored maize and groundnuts in Kilosa District, Tanzania. Four villages were chosen for sampling. Seventy-two samples were collected from four villages in 2010, and then tested using a high-performance liquid chromatography method. Levels of Fumonisin B₁ ranged from 63.26 to 213.15 μg/kg in all collected maize samples, while levels of aflatoxin B₁ ranged from 72.97 to 195.17 μg/kg in all collected groundnut samples. Significant differences in levels of fumonisins were observed over time (p < 0.0001) but not among villages (p < 0.3209). Aflatoxin levels differed significantly among villages (p < 0.0491) and over time (p < 0.0001). The association between altitude and the level of aflatoxin contaminations was also significant. This study indicates that stored maize and groundnuts were more prone to mycotoxin contamination.

Keywords:

• Mycotoxins
• incidence
• maize
• groundnut
• Tanzania

Acknowledgments

The authors express sincere thanks to all who helped execution of the study especially the staff members of the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture and Development Studies Institute of Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro Tanzania.