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An integrated adaptive framework for mycotoxin management in African cereals: evidence from a scoping review.

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Title: An integrated adaptive framework for mycotoxin management in African cereals: evidence from a scoping review.
Authors: Coffi VEC; Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, University of Abomey-Calavi, 03 BP 2819, Jericho-Cotonou, Benin.; Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium., Tesfamariam K; Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium., Iko Afé OH; Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, University of Abomey-Calavi, 03 BP 2819, Jericho-Cotonou, Benin., Akissoé N; Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, University of Abomey-Calavi, 03 BP 2819, Jericho-Cotonou, Benin., De Saeger S; Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium., Dabadé DS; Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, University of Abomey-Calavi, 03 BP 2819, Jericho-Cotonou, Benin. sylvaindabade@gmail.com.
Source: Mycotoxin research [Mycotoxin Res] 2026 Sep 24; Vol. 42 (4). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Sep 24.
Publication Type: Journal Article; Scoping Review
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin Country of Publication: Germany NLM ID: 8807334 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1867-1632 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 01787888 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Mycotoxin Res Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Publication: Heidelberg : Springer-Verlag Berlin
Original Publication: Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany : Hans W. Schmidt, 1985-
MeSH Terms: Mycotoxins*/analysis , Edible Grain*/microbiology , Edible Grain*/chemistry , Food Contamination*/prevention & control , Food Contamination*/analysis, Food Handling/methods ; Africa ; Food Safety
Abstract: Mycotoxins threaten food safety, public health, and trade in Africa, where cereals are staple foods largely produced and consumed through informal systems. This scoping review synthesizes evidence on pre- and post-harvest mycotoxin management in African cereal systems and translates it into an integrated adaptive framework for policy and practice. A structured literature search conducted in Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus identified 9,817 records, of which 33 primary studies met the eligibility criteria. The included studies covered interventions across the cereal value chain, including biocontrol, chemical pest management, drying, storage, and processing practices. Biocontrol interventions, particularly atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus products such as Aflasafe reduced aflatoxin levels by 60-100% across the reviewed studies, with long-term field evidence showing that more than 95% of treated grains remained below 20 µg/kg in Nigeria and 75% below 4 µg/kg in Senegal. Bt maize also reduced fumonisin contamination by approximately 74% in South Africa. Post-harvest interventions, including improved drying, hermetic storage, sorting, and HACCP-based processing, achieved variable but substantial reductions, with hand sorting reducing aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 to less than 6% and 5% of initial levels, respectively, and HACCP-based processing reducing aflatoxins to below 5 µg/kg. However, persistent constraints, including climate variability, limited infrastructure, low awareness, gender inequities, informal market dominance, and fragmented regulatory frameworks, continue to limit large-scale effectiveness. These findings informed an Integrated Adaptive Mycotoxin Management Framework grounded in a One Health perspective to support sustainable mycotoxin risk reduction in African cereals.
(© 2026. The Author(s).)
Competing Interests: Declarations. Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor REA can be held responsible for them. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
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Grant Information: grant number: 101136649 (UP-RISE project). Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Africa; Cereals; Food safety; Mycotoxins
Substance Nomenclature: 0 (Mycotoxins)
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260924 Date Completed: 20260924 Latest Revision: 20260927
Update Code: 20260927
PubMed Central ID: PMC13612647
DOI: 10.1007/s12550-026-00673-x
PMID: 42782459
Database: MEDLINE
Description
ISSN:1867-1632
DOI:10.1007/s12550-026-00673-x