Objective: This study investigated the fungal contamination profile of cocoa beans from cocoa-growing regions in Ghana, with particular emphasis on the potential impact of ochratoxigenic Aspergillus species. Methods: A total of 104 fermented and dried cocoa beans were randomly collected from farmers for analysis. Fungal isolation was conducted using potato dextrose agar and malt extract agar media. Species-level identification was performed through macroscopic and microscopic techniques. Ochratoxin A (OTA) quantification and confirmation were carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results: The investigation revealed 163 fungal isolates representing 14 distinct species across 10 genera. Aspergillus species, including Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus parasiticus, and Aspergillus fumigatus, were predominant. No statistically significant differences in fungal species occurrence were observed among the different cocoa-growing regions. However, certain species exhibited preferential growth on specific media, emphasizing the importance of medium selection in mycological studies. Of the 14 fungal species tested, only Aspergillus niger demonstrated the ability to produce OTA in vitro, as confirmed by LC-MS/MS analysis. Conclusion: This discovery holds substantial implications for both the cocoa industry and public health, considering that OTA is a potent mycotoxin subject to strict regulatory limits in food commodities. It is crucial to implement enhanced monitoring and control measures to mitigate fungal contamination in cocoa beans, particularly targeting OTA-producing species. The study also highlights the need for improved post-harvest handling practices, optimized storage conditions, and potential biocontrol approaches.

The aim of this study was to determine how various pretreatments affect the quality, protein content, and functional properties of six underutilized legumes (ULs) as alternative sources of dietary protein. Different soaking, boiling, dry heating, and nixtamalization techniques were used. The outcomes of the pretreatments, evaluated following standard analytical techniques, varied with each legume, with no specific trends observed. The protein content of the treated legumes ranged from 19.89% in Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) to 37.28% in African locust beans (Parkia biglobossa). The protein digestibility of the legumes increased after pretreatment, ranging from 0.75 to 0.82. The protein digestibility corrected amino acid score values revealed that some essential amino acids may be lost due to the pretreatment methods, although none of the pretreatments were found to completely deplete essential amino acids. The functional properties determined suggest that these ULs could be useful in food applications, such as baked goods and complementary foods.

Fatty acid esters of 3-monochloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPDE) and glycidol (GE) are potentially harmful heat-induced contaminants produced during food processing. In this study, 100 heat-treated oil-based food samples covering fried, smoked, grilled, and baked food groups were collected in Koforidua, Ghana and analysed for the two esters using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The dietary exposures were estimated by a probabilistic approach using Monte Carlo Simulation. Levels of 3-MCPDE and GE in the foods ranged from

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a potent mycotoxin produced by species of Aspergillus and Penicillium that contaminate agricultural products and pose significant health risks to both humans and animals. This review examines the mechanisms of OTA toxicity, its occurrence in various food commodities, and the implications for public health and trade. Literature pertaining to OTA was sourced from Google Scholar, covering the period from 2004 to 2024. OTA exposure is linked to multiple adverse health effects, including teratogenicity, immunotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity, with a primary impact on kidney function, and it is classified as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B). Its toxic effects are attributed to several mechanisms, including lipid peroxidation, inhibition of protein synthesis, DNA damage, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Notable findings included the presence of OTA in 46.7 % of cocoa products in Turkey, 32 % of cocoa samples in Côte d’Ivoire exceeding the OTA threshold of 2 μg/kg, and 91.5 % of ready-to-sell cocoa beans in Nigeria testing positive for OTA. Coffee beans are particularly susceptible to OTA contamination, which underscores the need for vigilant monitoring. Additionally, OTA contamination impacts agricultural productivity and food safety, leading to significant economic consequences, particularly in regions reliant on exports, such as cocoa and coffee. Several countries regulate the OTA levels in food products to safeguard public health. However, these regulations can impede trade, particularly in countries with high levels of contamination. Balancing regulatory compliance with economic viability is crucial for affected nations. Current strategies for managing OTA include improved agronomic practices, such as the use of biocontrol agents for pest management, enhanced storage conditions to prevent mould growth, and the implementation of detoxification techniques to reduce OTA levels in food products. Despite these strategies, OTA remains a significant threat to public health and the agricultural economy worldwide. The complexity of contamination in food products requires robust prevention, control, and management strategies to mitigate its impact. Continuous research and regulatory initiatives are essential for safeguarding consumers and ensuring food safety.

This study evaluated the health implications and oncological impact of consuming glycidyl esters (GE) and 3-monochloro-1,2-propanediol esters (3-MCPDE) in selected Asian and European populations. Data on dietary GE and 3-MCPDE were compiled from 10 studies conducted in China, Taiwan, Poland, and Spain, identified through a systematic search in PubMed and ScienceDirect databases from 2012 to 2022. Studies on food supplements and analytical methods were excluded from the analysis. Health metrics for these nations, spanning 2015 to 2019, were sourced from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, among others. A Monte Carlo Simulation was employed for data analysis. The results showed that “grains and grain products” was the most consumed food category (260.45-395.35 g/day), whereas “food for infants and children” was the least consumed (0.01-0.09 g/day). Additionally, “fats from animal or plant origin” had the highest contamination levels. While 3-MCPDE exposures remained within safe limits, median GE exposure correlated with an incidence of colon cancer ranging from 3.66 × 10−8 to 0.744%, lung cancer from 0.00256 to 0.287%, and breast cancer from 0.0262 to 2.42% within the study areas. This translated to a total cancer burden of 6.69 to 1020 Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) per 100 000 individuals. The population in China recorded the highest DALY rate (1,020), followed by Spain (30.2), Poland (19.7), and Taiwan (6.69). Projections suggest an uptick in GE-related cancer cases and associated burdens in the coming decades attributed to demographic shifts, ageing populations, and dietary changes. The study underscores the urgency of mitigating GE and 3-MCPDE food contamination, bolstering public health awareness, and establishing safety guidelines.

3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD), 2,3-epoxy-1-propanol (glycidol), and their fatty acid esters are heat-induced food toxicants that have widely been investigated. This review study presents an overview of current knowledge about the dietary toxicity of 3-MCPD, glycidol, and their fatty acid esters. A literature search in two databases from January 2012 to December 2023 yielded 75 eligible articles for this review. The majority (73%) of the articles focused on 3-MCPD- and 3-MCPD fatty acid ester-induced toxicities. Nephrotoxicity (32%) was the most studied toxicity, whereas the least studied were carcinogenicity (4%) and hematotoxicity (4%). The metabolism of glycidol and its esters to 3-MCPD in the gastrointestinal tract remained a subject of contention as studies reported opposing findings. There was also new evidence of 3-MCPD-induced reproductive toxicity, hematotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity and 3-MCPD- and glycidol-induced neurotoxicity and genotoxicity. Findings suggest animal species-dependency in 3-MCPD’s carcinogenicity expression. Meanwhile, the 3-MCPD toxicity mechanism in obese rats is poorly understood. The review recommends further studies into the 3-MCPD toxicity mechanism in obese rats and the possible conversion of glycidol to 3-MCPD in gastrointestinal tracts.

The safety of vegetable oils has come under intense scrutiny ever since the International Agency for Research on Cancer issued an alert on the carcinogenic properties of 3-monochloropropane1,2-diol fatty acid esters (3-MCPDE) and glycidyl esters (GE). In this study, a total of 114 samples of artisanal palm oil (PO), palm kernel oil (PKO), and coconut oil (CO) were sourced from three regions in Ghana. The concentrations of 3-MCPDE and GE were quantified using the indirect method with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Subsequently, the statistical distribution functions of the concentrations of the esters were fitted using the Palisade @risk software. The relationships between the esters in the oils were determined using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The results showed no correlation (p > 0.05) between the concentrations of 3-MCPDE and GE. However, 18-60 % of the sampled PO contained 3-MCPDE above the European Commission's 2.5 mg/kg limit. In comparison, 24-35 % of the PO contained GE at levels exceeding the Commission's 1 mg/kg limit. Similarly, 25-35 % of PKO samples had GE concentrations above the limit. CO was the least contaminated oil, with little or no evidence of 3-MCPE and GE formation. Though the most frequently occurring (modal) concentrations of the esters were below the limits imposed by the Commission, it is the 95th percentile level of concentrations, especially for PO, that pose a health concern. Serious education and control must be exercised over the production of PO to enhance safety at the national and international markets.

The ever-increasing demand for wildlife-derived raw or processed meat commonly known as bushmeat, has been identified as one of the critical factors driving the emergence of infectious diseases. This study focused on examining the bacterial community composition of smoked and fermented bushmeats, specifically grasscutter, rat, rabbit, and mona monkey. The analysis involved exploring 16Sr RNA amplicon sequences isolated from bushmeat using QIIME2. Microbiome profiles and their correlation with proximate components (PLS regression) were computed in STAMP and XLSTAT, respectively. Results indicate the predominance of Firmicutes (70.9%), Actinobacteria (18.58%), and Proteobacteria (9.12%) in bushmeat samples at the phylum level. Staphylococcus, Arthrobacter, Macrococcus , and Proteus constituted the core microbiomes in bushmeat samples, ranked in descending order. Notably, significant differences were observed between the bacterial communities of bushmeat obtained from omnivores and herbivores (rat and mona monkey, and grasscutter and mona monkey), as well as those with similar feeding habits (rat and monkey, and grasscutter and rabbit) at the family and genus levels. Each type of bushmeat possessed unique microbial diversity, with some proximate components such as fat in rat samples correlating with Staphylococcus , while proteins in Mona monkey correlated with Arthrobacter and Brevibacterium , respectively. The study underscores public health concerns and highlights probiotic benefits, as bushmeat samples contained both pathogenic and beneficial bacteria. Therefore, future research efforts could focus on improving bushmeat quality.

Underutilized legumes are a good source of plant proteins, but they exhibit a hard-to-cook nature and poor digestibility due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors. This study focused on the factors that drive the utilization of selected underutilized legumes in the Techiman municipality of Ghana. The legumes studied were Vigna subterrenea (Bambara groundnut), Cajanus cajan (Pigeon pea), Phaseolus lunatus (Lima bean), Parkia biglobosa (African Locust bean), and Canavalia gladiata (Sword bean). The survey provided insight into the familiarity, uses, preparation methods, and the extent of knowledge of their nutritional benefits. The demographics of the participants studied were also described, and statistical analysis was done using descriptive statistics. The results showed that the legumes were well recognized despite their underutilized status and they find use primarily in domestic savory food preparation. Consumption was mostly occasional despite the knowledge of its nutritional benefits. Processing mainly referred to boiling with prior removal of foreign materials and soaking in water. Nutrition stood out as the most desired property. Strategies aiming at maximizing the use of these legumes must be considered and developed since these legumes appear to be a formidable resource for combating the prevalent food insecurity in Africa.

AbstractEdible insects, such as palm weevil larvae, have been promoted as an alternative source of nutrients in developing countries for their nutritional benefits, cost‐effective rearing, and yearly availability. Unfortunately, consumer acceptance remains a barrier to their utilization. A supplemental palm weevil larvae and tomato paste were developed as part of efforts to understand whether incorporating edible insects into staple foods could help overcome this barrier. Palm weevil larvae flour and tomato paste were mixed in three formulations that had 8, 15, and 30% of palm weevil larvae flour. Samples were subjected to proximate and mineral content analyses and sensory evaluation. Among the blends, tomato paste containing 30% palm weevil larvae had the highest protein, fat, and total solids content as compared to unfortified tomato paste. Iron and zinc levels also increased with increasing levels of palm weevil larvae flour. Carbohydrate and crude fiber concentrations of the samples, however, decreased with increasing fortification levels. The overall acceptance and willingness to purchase fortified tomato paste as determined by sensory evaluation was high for all samples and increased with increasing knowledge about palm weevil larvae's nutritional benefits. Overall acceptance and willingness to purchase fortified tomato paste were significantly dependent on the samples' color and consumers' overall liking of the products. Tomato paste fortified with palm weevil larvae can provide a complementary source of iron for Ghanaians.

Cooking methods for rice products may also present contaminating polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known to be carcinogenic. This study collected a total of 54 different cooked rice products from the study area and extracts were made using the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuECheRS) method. After quantifying the PAH's concentrations using HPLC, standard protocols were used to determine the exposure of key PAHs (total benzo [a] pyrene (BaP), ΣPAH4, ΣPAH8) and the risks of consumers based on the rice consumption pattern from 760 participants. The results indicated 11 congeners, presenting 2-methylnaphthalene as the highly contaminating PAH (61.11%) and total benzo [a] pyrene (BaP) as the lowest (18.52%) contaminating PAH. The ΣPAH4 and the ΣPAH8 types presented 5th-95th percentiles concentrations ranging between 0.302 and 9.275 mg/kg for ΣPAH4 and between 0.304 and 9.315 mg/kg for ΣPAH8 respectively. However, benzo [a] pyrene (BaP)s concentration ranged between 0.050 and 1.526 mg/kg. The 95th percentile exposure (1.28-8.04 mg/kg (bw)-day), margin of exposure (MoEs) (4), and incremental life time cancer risk (ILTCR) (1×10-3 >10-4) indicated high risk among the consumers. All eight non-carcinogenic PAHs showed significantly high hazard indices (HI >1) except for outliers which were isolated cases. Thus, the study suggests a high-risk predisposition of the top 5% of the consumer population of such cooked rice products. Constant monitoring is therefore warranted to maintain safety.