Yamp chip food sub-sector : hazardous pratices and presence of aflatoxins in Benin

A survey of the sanitary quality, particularly concerning aflatoxin contamination and practices of the dried yam chips food sub-sector was carried out in Benin. Producers and intermediaries of the yam chips food production sub-sector were interviewed and samples collected. Aflatoxin content was assessed by a biochemo-luminescence method on a total of 107 samples. Twenty-three per cent of the samples had aflatoxin contents over the 15 µg kg-1 CODEX standard value for total aflatoxin. Moisture content of whole tuber chips was around 20% when producers stopped drying after 3-6 days. Drying was thus not accomplished, but most producers were unaware of this problem. After storage for 7 months, mean moisture content was around 14%, but 41% of the samples stored in rooms had a moisture content over 15%, levels that are still favourable for mould growth. Most producers, wholesalers and retailers complained about storage problems and particularly about insect proliferation, but less than 15% mentioned mould growth as a problem. Mouldy chips are generally washed and dried again. Very rarely are mouldy chips discarded and lack of moulds is not a quality attribute for dried yam chips. Therefore, there is a risk of chronic exposure to aflatoxin for Beninese yam chips consumers.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Mestres, Christian, Bassa, Septime, Fagbohoun, Etel Godwill, Nago, Mathurin Coffi, Hell, K., Vernier, Philippe, Champiat, Dominique, Hounhouigan, Joseph D., Cardwell, K.F.
Format:	article biblioteca
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Q03 - Contamination et toxicologie alimentaires, Dioscorea, igname, traitement, échantillonnage, collecte de données, séchage, stockage, aflatoxine, humidité, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_2288, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8478, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_6195, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_6774, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_2128, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_2402, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7427, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8638, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3689, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_875,
Online Access:	http://agritrop.cirad.fr/522938/ http://agritrop.cirad.fr/522938/1/522938.pdf
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