Systems Research to Assess Risk of Preharvest Aflatoxin Contamination and to Develop Technologies to Reduce Aflatoxin Contamination of Peanut (UGA 22)

Approach

The goal of UGA 22 was to develop early warning systems for determining aflatoxin risk, based on remote sensing and ground observations. The shift from the last phase was from post-harvest to exclusively on pre-harvest factors. The project has aimed to move away from generation of experimental data to emphasis on computer-based analysis of remote sensing data and modeling. The project analyzed historical yield data for peanuts, and NASA satellite weather data as well as aflatoxin data, if available.

Achievements

In Mali, the achievements since 2001 have been somewhat limited due to changes in leadership of the project as well as the redirection and refocusing of the experiments. However, an initial analysis based on data obtained from Mali, has shown that there was scope for the development of an early warning system for aflatoxin risk based on remote sensing and ground observations. In 2004, post-harvest aflatoxin levels were determined for peanuts stored in granaries in several locations in Mali. Initial analysis was done to determine the changes in Aspergillus flavus levels and aflatoxin concentrations over time in relation to the environmental conditions of the granaries. An analysis of the relationships between AVHRR satellite information for West Africa, local yields, and local weather showed a correlation between local weather conditions and aflatoxin levels. But more data would still be required to develop an aflatoxin risk early warning system.

Focus

Consumer values