71
June 2014
dangerousand interventionsystemsneed tobedeveloped to reduce
possible incidence of aflatoxicosis in animals and humans. Storage
facilities presently used by farmers in northern KwaZulu-Natal
(
Photo 1
-
Photo 6
) show that there are no quality storage systems
in place to reduce consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated grain in
subsistence farming systems.
Contaminated grain is stored in plastic and metal drums, under
poor ventilation which might form an environment conducive for
further aflatoxin production during storage. Grain from subsistence
farmers isoftenmarketed locallyor consumedwithin thehousehold
resulting in an increased exposure to aflatoxins. An improvement in
storage facilities such as the availability of silos with temperature
and air control systems as well as the implementation of practices
such as drying maize grain prior to storage to moisture levels of
12% or less, cannot sustain the growth of fungi and could prevent
further contaminationbyaflatoxinsand reduce foodwast-ageduring
storage.
Development of affordable technologies to determine moisture
content before storage, could also result in the
control of aflatoxinproduction and fungal infectionof
grain during storage. For more information, contact
the authors at 018 299 6100.
1: Unshelledmaize stored in abag adjacent todrybeans atManguzi.
2:Maize storage in ametal drum at Pongola.
3: A corroding zinc tank formaizegrain storage at eMondlo.
4: Amaizedrying and storage facility at Pongola.
5:Maizegrain storage in aplastic drum at eMondlo.
6:Maizedryingon theground at Jozini.
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