One of the major potential food safety risks identified in recent years in the dairy value chain of Kenya is biological contaminants. Among them, the most important ones are 1) mycotoxin derivatives, in particular aflatoxins, carried over to milk from cows fed with feedstuffs contaminated with aflatoxigenic fungi and 2) residues of antibiotic drugs which are found in milk following veterinary treatment of animals or purposed drug misuse. Objectives of cooperation 1) To establish a reference laboratory at the University of Nairobi with adequate infrastructure and expertise for testing specific biological contaminants in feeds and foodstuffs 2) To train laboratory support personnel in standard analysis and novel methods on screening mycotoxin contamination and antibiotic residues in feeds and foodstuffs 3) To establish baseline information on above contaminants and their human exposure on the bench mark sites 4) To expand awareness about potential health hazards related to above contaminants and their management The project has produced the following results: 1) Improved laboratory facilities at the University of Nairobi for analysis of biological contaminants (mycotoxins and antibiotics) using internationally approved standard methods 2) A series of training courses were arranged both in Kenya and Finland, about 40 University of Nairobi staff and students were trained. A total of 10 MSc. thesis produced from baseline data collected from project areas in Kenya. 3) A survey of the baseline situation to identify mycotoxin/ antibiotic contaminants in the feed-dairy chain was carried out in two project areas, totally about 2600 maize, feed and milk samples were analysed at the improved laboratory for aflatoxins and 300 milk samples for antibiotic residues. Human exposure to these contaminants was assessed. 4) The results of the survey were communicated back to relevant stakeholders in the project areas. 5) At least five scientific publications are in preparation. One is already published. The project will be continued in Phase 2 focusing on awareness raising among the stakeholders and developing methods for reducing the contamination risk of mycotoxins in the feed-dairy chain. Funding of Phase 2 has been secured from the same source as the current project.
Vastaava tutkija
Hankkeen kesto 2010 - 2013
Asiasanat
biological contaminants, dairy production, dairy value chain, mycotoxins, aflatoxin
Hankkeen vaihe: Päättynyt
HUOM! Tämä tutkimushankekuvaus on tuotettu Hankehaaviin Maa- ja elintarviketalouden tutkimuskeskuksen tutkimustietojärjestelmästä, jota ei enää ylläpidetä. Tarkista ajantaiset tutkimushanketiedot Luonnonvarakeskus Luken järjestelmästä.
|