Oral Presentation Royal Australian Chemical Institute National Congress 2026

Prevalence, risk assessment and evidence-based risk management of aflatoxin B1 in Rwandan maize flour (138676)

Jean Paul HATEGEKIMANA 1 , Theoneste Hagenimana 1 , Eugene Niyonzima 1 2
  1. Food Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Science, Musanze, Northern Province, Rwanda
  2. Animal Resources Processing and Biotechnology Division, Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board, Rwanda., Kigali , KIGALI CITY, Rwanda

Maize is a staple food in Rwanda and is important component of complementary foods for infants and young children. Nevertheless, this crop is predisposed to mycotoxins contamination in almost all maize growing parts of the country. In Rwanda, the important and frequently encountered mycotoxins in maize are aflatoxins. However, Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was classified by IARC to be Group 1 carcinogenic compound. Chronic exposure to aflatoxins is also associated with impaired immunity, malnutrition and liver cancer and all these human health adverse effects are being increased in Rwanda on daily basis. Several authors reported the Rwandan maize grains and maize flour to be contaminated with aflatoxins at level exceeding the Codex Alimentarius and national standard limit. Therefore, the consumption of maize delivered food products in Rwanda could be play a considerable role to the current increase of cancer cases and malnutrition disorders in Rwanda. The Risk assessment and evidence based risk management study was conducted in order to know the health risks related to consumption of maize flour made products in Rwanda and suggest appropriate and feasible risk managements strategies for protection of consumer health against AFB1 related health risks. 235 maize flour samples were collected and analysed by use of HPTLC. The probabilistic distribution with Monte Carlo simulation was used in assessment of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) fit concentration and maize flour fit consumption in all 4 scenarios considered by use of @Risk software. The AFB1 exposure found to be significantly higher than 1ng/kgbw/day PMTDI and the maize flour made product consumer risk was indicated by the estimated MOEs (calculated by use f BMDL10 animal rat divided by calculated consumer exposure) strongly lower than 10,000. The strct implementation of national standard limit on AFB1 concentration in maize indicated a considerable decrease in AFB1 contamination and subsequent cancer risks. The pre- and postharvest control measure was indicated as the most appropriate strategy for protection of consumer health against AFB1 related risks.

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