Assessing the fungal contamination and potential impact of ochratoxigenic species on cocoa beans from cocoa-growing regions of Ghana.

Objective: This study investigated the fungal contamination profile of cocoa beans from cocoa-growing regions in Ghana, with particular emphasis on the potential impact of ochratoxigenic species.

Methods: A total of 104 fermented and dried cocoa beans were randomly collected from farmers for analysis. Fungal isolation was conducted using potato dextrose agar and malt extract agar media.

Exposure to Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A From the Consumption of Selected Staples and Fresh Cow Milk in the Wet and Dry Seasons in Ghana.

Across sub-Saharan Africa, the heavy reliance on mycotoxin-susceptible staple foods means that populations in the region are particularly vulnerable to chronic mycotoxin exposure. This study assessed the exposure risk to ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxins (AFs) from 18 samples of selected staple foods (maize, millet, groundnut) and 56 fresh cow milk samples collected from across Ghana. The foods were sampled simultaneously to maximise comparability, and at two timepoints in March/April (during the dry season) and July/August (during the rainy season) to assess the effects of duration of storage and seasonal conditions on the mycotoxin levels as measured by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Ochratoxin A in food commodities: A review of occurrence, toxicity, and management strategies.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a potent mycotoxin produced by species of Aspergillus and Penicillium that contaminate agricultural products and pose significant health risks to both humans and animals. This review examines the mechanisms of OTA toxicity, its occurrence in various food commodities, and the implications for public health and trade. Literature pertaining to OTA was sourced from Google Scholar, covering the period from 2004 to 2024.

Smoked and Fermented Bushmeat (Mpunam) Products: Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Resulting From Processing.

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) congener concentrations and risk upon human exposure to smoked bushmeat products were analyzed. GC/MS MRM and QuEChERS methods were used for the analysis. This work has become necessary due to the need for more information concerning the quantitative determination of these compounds and their health risk assessment.

Exposure to Dietary Glycidyl and 3-MCPD Fatty Acid Esters and Associated Burden of Cancer in Selected Asian and European Countries: A Review and Data Synthesis.

This study evaluated the health implications and oncological impact of consuming glycidyl esters (GE) and 3-monochloro-1,2-propanediol esters (3-MCPDE) in selected Asian and European populations. Data on dietary GE and 3-MCPDE were compiled from 10 studies conducted in China, Taiwan, Poland, and Spain, identified through a systematic search in PubMed and ScienceDirect databases from 2012 to 2022. Studies on food supplements and analytical methods were excluded from the analysis.