Browsing by Author "Nleya, N."

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    Current Status of Mycotoxin Contamination of Food Commodities in Zimbabwe
    (MDPI, 2018-05-03) Nleya, N.; Adetunji, Modupeade.C; Mwanza, M.
    Agricultural products, especially cereal grains, serve as staple foods in sub-Saharan Africa. However, climatic conditions in this region can lead to contamination of these commodities by moulds, with subsequent production of mycotoxins posing health risks to both humans and animals. There is limited documentation on the occurrence of mycotoxins in sub-Saharan African countries, leading to the exposure of their populations to a wide variety of mycotoxins through consumption of contaminated foods. This review aims at highlighting the current status of mycotoxin contamination of food products in Zimbabwe and recommended strategies of reducing this problem. Zimbabwe is one of the African countries with very little information with regards to mycotoxin contamination of its food commodities, both on the market and at household levels. Even though evidence of multitoxin occurrence in some food commodities such as maize and other staple foods exist, available published research focuses only on Aspergillus and Fusarium mycotoxins, namely aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON), trichothecenes, fumonisins, and zearalenone (ZEA). Occurrence of mycotoxins in the food chain has been mainly associated with poor agricultural practices. Analysis of mycotoxins has been done mainly using chromatographic and immunological methods. Zimbabwe has adopted European standards, but the legislation is quite flexible, with testing for mycotoxin contamination in food commodities being done voluntarily or upon request. Therefore, the country needs to tighten its legislation as well as adopt stricter standards that will improve the food safety and security of the masses.
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    Current Status of Mycotoxin Contamination of Food Commodities in Zimbabwe
    (MDPI, 2018) Nleya, N.; Adetunji, M.C.; Mwanza, M.
    Agricultural products, especially cereal grains, serve as staple foods in sub-Saharan Africa. However, climatic conditions in this region can lead to contamination of these commodities by moulds, with subsequent production of mycotoxins posing health risks to both humans and animals. There is limited documentation on the occurrence of mycotoxins in sub-Saharan African countries, leading to the exposure of their populations to a wide variety of mycotoxins through consumption of contaminated foods. This review aims at highlighting the current status of mycotoxin contamination of food products in Zimbabwe and recommended strategies of reducing this problem. Zimbabwe is one of the African countries with very little information with regards to mycotoxin contamination of its food commodities, both on the market and at household levels. Even though evidence of multitoxin occurrence in some food commodities such as maize and other staple foods exist, available published research focuses only on Aspergillus and Fusarium mycotoxins, namely aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON), trichothecenes, fumonisins, and zearalenone (ZEA). Occurrence of mycotoxins in the food chain has been mainly associated with poor agricultural practices. Analysis of mycotoxins has been done mainly using chromatographic and immunological methods. Zimbabwe has adopted European standards, but the legislation is quite flexible, with testing for mycotoxin contamination in food commodities being done voluntarily or upon request. Therefore, the country needs to tighten its legislation as well as adopt stricter standards that will improve the food safety and security of the masses.
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    Molecular detection of Imbrasia belina proteins associated with allergic reactions on harvesters and consumers from selected districts in Matabeleland: a comparative study
    (Springer, 2023-07-13) Dlamini, W.; Nunu, W. N.; Ndlovu, V.; Nleya, N.; Mudonhi, N.; Sibula, M.
    Background: Harvesting and consuming insects (entomophagy), particularly Imbrasia belina is widespread in developing countries like Zimbabwe. Due to their extraordinary nutritional content, tastiness, ease of processing and storage, Imbrasia belina has become a delicacy, reachable nutritious complement, and money source for some people in Zimbabwean communities. However, some harvesters and consumers have become allergic to the Imbrasia belina, popularly known as Mopani worms. This has been attributed or associated with the changes in the genetic structure of Imbrasia belina. Therefore, this research sought to compare the presence of the genes associated with allergic reactions to mopane worms from Gwanda and Umguza districts in Zimbabwe. Methods: A lab-based observational study was conducted on collected Imbrasia belina samples from both districts. Fifteen samples of mopane worms were collected from each district, and DNA extraction was performed using DNeasy blood and tissue kit. The DNA extraction products were then amplified using a Polymerase chain reaction. The polymerase chain reaction products were run on agarose gel electrophoresis to determine the presence of the target genes. Results: Three of the five samples from Gwanda district were positive for the tropomyosin gene, whereas two samples from Umguza district were positive. All the samples from the two districts were negative for arginine kinase genes. Conclusion: The study results highlighted that allergic reactionsto Imbrasia belina reported in Gwanda district are associated with the presence of the tropomyosin gene, which has undergone polymorphism. Responsible authorities such as Gwanda local authority should develop bylaws that govern Imbrasia belina harvesting in the district.