Awareness, Experience, and Knowledge of Farming Households in Rural Bangladesh Regarding Mold Contamination of Food Crops: A Cross-Sectional Study

Postharvest Practices, Perceptions, and Knowledge of Mycotoxins among Groundnut Farmers in the Adamawa, Centre, and North Regions of Cameroon

In many parts of the world, including Cameroon, mycotoxin contamination of groundnuts remains a major constraint affecting their use as food. Understanding the contributing factors is an essential intervention to reduce contamination and people's exposure to these harmful toxins. The aim of this research was to identify the factors associated with the knowledge, perceptions, and postharvest practices of groundnut farmers in three production basins in Cameroon. Data were collected through surveys and analyzed using descriptive methods and logistic regression models. The results show that groundnut farmers are little aware of the existence of mycotoxins (12%) and totally unaware of the existence of aflatoxins (100%). Only 7.1% of these farmers are aware of the effects of mycotoxins on consumer health. After evaluation, the large majority of farmers scored poor marks for knowledge (86%) and practice (98.7%) in the management of mould and mycotoxins in groundnuts. Knowledge of mycotoxins was positively associated with the level of education [OR = 3.42; (95%-IC: 1.00-16.00); p < 0.05] and region [OR = 4.49; (95%-IC: 1.09-20.3); p < 0.05]. Farmers' good practices were linked to their production experience [OR = 6.06, (95% CI: 0.91-18.4), p = 0.035]. The use of mouldy groundnut for feed was associated with age [OR = 3.34, (95% CI: 1.14-10.2), p = 0.03], sex [OR = 0. 43, (IC-95%: 1.14-1.05), p = 0.026], marital status [OR = 0.35, (IC-95%: 0.14-0.79), p = 0.015], and production region [OR = 0.27, (IC-95%: 0.13-0.56)]. In conclusion, groundnut farmers had insufficient knowledge of mycotoxins, no knowledge of aflatoxins, and suboptimal handling and storage practices for this commodity. This contributes to increasing the risk of exposure for the population and requires mitigation measures, including awareness campaigns on mycotoxins, specifically aflatoxins, and capacity building for farmers in terms of storage and postharvest management of foodstuffs.

Maternal exposure to multiple mycotoxins and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a prospective cohort study in rural Bangladesh

There is limited and inconsistent evidence, primarily from cross-sectional studies, linking mycotoxins to adverse birth outcomes. This study investigates the potential role of maternal dietary exposure to multiple mycotoxins in the development of several adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. We analyzed data from 436 singleton pregnancies enrolled in a prospective cohort study in the rural Habiganj district, Bangladesh, between July 2018 and November 2019. Thirty-five urinary mycotoxin biomarkers were quantified using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry and used to estimate dietary mycotoxin exposure. Multivariable regression models, adjusted for potential confounding and clustering, were fitted to assess the associations between maternal exposure to frequently occurring mycotoxins (ochratoxin A-OTA, citrinin- CIT, and Deoxynivalenol- DON) and pregnancy loss, preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), born small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and small-vulnerable newborn. The results indicate that only in 16 of 436 pregnancies (4%) were urine samples free from all investigated mycotoxins. Biomarkers for six major mycotoxins were detected in the urine samples. OTA (95%), CIT (61%), and DON (6%) were most frequently detected, with at least two mycotoxins co-occurring in the majority of women (63%). There was evidence that maternal dietary intake of OTA was associated with higher odds of having an LBW baby, with the odds increasing in a dose-dependent manner. We found no evidence of associations between pregnancy loss, PTB, SGA, small-vulnerable newborns, and maternal dietary exposure to OTA, CIT, and DON, albeit with large confidence intervals, so findings are consistent with protective as well as large harmful effects. Exposure to multiple mycotoxins during pregnancy is widespread in this rural community and represents a health risk for mothers and babies. Tailored public health policies and interventions must be implemented to reduce mycotoxin exposure to the lowest possible level.

Assessment of multiple mycotoxin exposure and its association with food consumption: a human biomonitoring study in a pregnant cohort in rural Bangladesh

Aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), citrinin (CIT), fumonisin B1 (FB1), zearalenone (ZEN), and deoxynivalenol (DON) are mycotoxins that may contaminate diets, especially in low-income settings, with potentially severe health consequences. This study investigates the exposure of 439 pregnant women in rural Bangladesh to 35 mycotoxins and their corresponding health risks and links their exposure to certain foods and local stimulants. Overall, 447 first-morning urine samples were collected from pregnant women between July 2018 and November 2019. Mycotoxin biomarkers were quantified by DaS-HPLC-MS/MS. Urinary concentration of frequently occurring mycotoxins was used to estimate dietary mycotoxin exposure. Median regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between the consumption of certain foods and local stimulants, and urinary concentration of frequently occurring mycotoxins. Only in 17 of 447 urine samples (4%) were none of the investigated mycotoxins detected. Biomarkers for six major mycotoxins (AFs, CIT, DON, FB1, OTA, and ZEN) were detected in the urine samples. OTA (95%), CIT (61%), and DON (6%) were most frequently detected, with multiple mycotoxins co-occurring in 281/447 (63%) of urine samples. Under the lowest exposure scenario, dietary exposure to OTA, CIT, and DON was of public health concern in 95%, 16%, and 1% of the pregnant women, respectively. Consumption of specific foods and local stimulants-betel nut, betel leaf, and chewing tobacco-were associated with OTA, CIT, and DON urine levels. In conclusion, exposure to multiple mycotoxins during early pregnancy is widespread in this rural community and represents a potential health risk for mothers and their offspring.