Microbial profile of common spices and spice blends used in Tamale, Ghana

Reduction in mycotoxin levels of African nutmeg (Monodora myristica) powder using a high-energy electron beam

This study investigated the role of irradiation with a high-energy electron beam in reducing mycotoxin levels of African nutmeg powder (ANP) samples. African nutmeg was procured from a local market in Accra, Ghana, cleaned, milled, packaged and irradiated using electrons of energy 9 MeV at doses of 2, 4, 6 and 8 kGy. Un-irradiated ANP served as a control. Mycotoxin levels of the treated samples were determined using appropriate standard methods. Aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) and B2 (AFB2) as well as ochratoxin A (OTA) were detected in the nutmeg samples. Irradiation significantly (p < 0.05) reduced mycotoxin levels of the ANP with increasing doses. Aflatoxins G1 and G2 were not detected in any of the samples. A dose of 8 kGy was effective in reducing the mycotoxin levels below the permissible limit in food. This suggests that a high-energy electron beam is effective in reducing mycotoxin levels in African nutmeg powder.

Foodborne Microbiological Hazards in Ghana: A Scoping Review

Background

Foodborne diseases pose a significant public health threat, particularly in regions with poor sanitation and food handling practices. These diseases, mainly caused by microbiological hazards like bacteria, fungi, and parasites, affect millions globally. Despite the global burden, the true extent of these hazards remains underestimated, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Ghana. This study aimed to map the available literature on foodborne microbiological hazards in Ghana, providing an overview of the evidence and identifying areas where further research is needed.

Method

This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews. A detailed search was done in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, and articles were exported to Rayyan for screening. A three-phase screening process was used to identify relevant articles. Data from the included articles were extracted and analysed, with specific information related to food type, specific hazards, sample population, and hazard groups summarised using proportions and tables.

Results

This review included 72 studies which were published between 2001 and 2023. Eighty-five percent of these studies (85%) reported on bacterial hazards, while 19%, 11%, and 6% reported on fungi, parasites, and mycotoxins, respectively. The most reported bacterial, fungal, and parasitic hazards were Escherichia coli, Aspergillus spp. and Trichuris trichiura, respectively. Aflatoxins were reported in maize, groundnut, and spices, with prevalence ranging from 61% to 100% and at levels exceeding standards set by Ghana Standards Authority and European Food Safety Authority.

Conclusion

This review highlighted the spectrum of microbiological hazards in foods in Ghana. The hazards identified pose significant public health risks, particularly among vulnerable populations. It is crucial that stricter enforcement of food safety laws and improved food handling practices are implemented in the country, particularly in the informal food sector, to protect consumers.

Analysis of Multi-Mycotoxins in Commonly Consumed Spices Using the LC-MS/MS Method for Assessing Food Safety Risks

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by certain fungal species. In this study, the aim was to investigate mycotoxins, which pose a serious health problem. For this purpose, a total of 140 spice samples (black pepper, red pepper, cumin, and turmeric) purchased from Ankara, Turkey, were analyzed for specific mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1-AFB1, aflatoxin B2-AFB2, aflatoxin G1-AFG1, aflatoxin G2-AFG2, ochratoxin A-OTA, zearalenone-ZEN) using an LC-MS/MS multi-mycotoxin method. The Staphylococcus spp. and Micrococcus spp. counts in the spice samples were also analyzed using the conventional culture method. The contamination levels of AFB1 ranged from not detected (ND) to 39.12 μg/kg; AFB2 ranged from ND to 2.10 μg/kg; AFG1 ranged from ND to 0.92 μg/kg; AFG2 ranged from ND to 3.67 μg/kg; OTA ranged from ND to 39.79 μg/kg; ZEN ranged from ND to 11.16 μg/kg. The maximum residue limit for AFB1 (5 μg/kg) determined according to the Turkish Food Codex (TFC) was exceeded in five samples of red pepper, two samples of black pepper, and one sample of turmeric. Furthermore, it was determined that three samples of red pepper and one sample of black pepper exceeded the maximum limits for total aflatoxin (10 μg/kg) and OTA (15 μg/kg) specified in the TFC.

Microbial Evaluation of Spices in Ethiopia

Introduction:

Since spices are taken as ready-to-eat products, they are not subjected to heat treatment. The use of spices contaminated with pathogens can lead to morbidity and mortality.

Materials and Methods:

The study was conducted on 162 samples of 25 spices collected from retail and production sites in different regions of Ethiopia between January 2010 to December 2017 to determine the concentrations of heterotrophic plate count and Staphylococcus aureus by pour plate method; for coliforms using NMKL Method No. 44; for mould and yeast enumeration using spread method and for Salmonella using ES ISO 6579. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0.

Results:

Moulds, yeasts, total coliforms, heterotrophic plate count, total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, E. coli and S. aureus above the acceptable limits were observed in 5 (3%), 7 (4.3%), 2 (1.2%), 20 (12.3%), 10 (6.2%), 9 (5.6%) and 19 (11.7%) samples respectively. Salmonella species was not noticed in any of the samples tested. No bacterial and fungal contaminations were observed in 11 of 25 spices.

Conclusions:

Few spices samples had 1.2 to 12.3% of the microbiological indicators, spoilages or pathogens exceeded the ICMFS guidelines. The use of these contaminated spices may pose risk to human health.