Evaluation of mycotoxins in grains sold in Idah, Ajaka and Ogbogbo areas of Nigeria
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Mycotoxin contamination in grains is a significant concern due to its adverse effects on human and animal health. Understanding the levels and patterns of mycotoxin contamination in different regions and storage conditions is crucial for developing effective control strategies. This study aimed to assess mycotoxin levels in stored and recently harvested grains in three regions (Idah, Ajaka, and Ogbogbo) and investigate the implications for food safety. The study involved the analysis of mycotoxin levels in maize, rice, sorghum, and millet using appropriate mycotoxin extraction method based on the mycotoxins of interest and a suitable HPLC system. The findings revealed the presence of mycotoxins such as aflatoxins (1±0.2–5±0.4 µg kg −1 ), deoxynivalenol (520±0.8–700±1.2 µg kg −1 ), zearalenone (200±0.4–370±0.6 µg kg −1 ), ochratoxins (2±0.2–4±0.3 µg kg −1 ), and fumonisin (0±0.0–4±0.3 µg kg −1 ) in both recently harvested and stored grains. Patulin was absent in most of the samples. Variations in mycotoxin levels were observed among different grains and regions, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. The European Commission mycotoxin standards in grains for human consumption are: aflatoxins 4 µg kg −1 in maize, millet and sorghum while rice is 8 µg kg −1 , deoxynivalenal 1750 µg kg −1 , zearalenone 100 µg kg −1 , ochratoxin A 5 µg kg −1 for maize, rice and millet, then 10 µg kg −1 for sorghum. Fumonisin is 4000 µg kg −1 but no level for rice and patulin is 50 µg kg −1 for rice and none for the other grains. This study demonstrates the persistence of mycotoxin contamination in stored grains and the importance of considering specific crop types and geographical locations when addressing mycotoxin contamination. The findings underscore the significance of implementing effective control measures to mitigate mycotoxin contamination and enhance food safety. The study provides valuable insights into mycotoxin contamination and emphasizes the need for comprehensive risk assessment studies and appropriate regulatory measures.
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Thank you for implementing the reviewer comments and resubmitting and improved manuscript.
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This study would be a valuable contribution to the existing literature. The reviewers have highlighted minor concerns with the work presented. Please ensure that you address their comments.
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Comments to Author
Mycotoxin contamination of food is a concern as it affects the food quality and have deleterious impact on human health, animals and the environment. In this study authors to analyzed the mycotoxin levels in stored and freshly harvested maize, rice, sorghum, and millet grains. The study is scientifically sound and technically well conducted. However, it must be revised prior to consideration for publication. Some comments: 1. In abstract, briefly provide details of the analytical tool and approaches used for mycotoxin analysis. 2. Include standard deviation or std error in abstract along with permissible limits of mycotoxins in food. 3. Authors could provide the values of mycotoxins in ppb/ppm or molar values. 4. Provide appropriate citations or reference to methodology, see lines 150 to 188. 5. It …
Comments to Author
Mycotoxin contamination of food is a concern as it affects the food quality and have deleterious impact on human health, animals and the environment. In this study authors to analyzed the mycotoxin levels in stored and freshly harvested maize, rice, sorghum, and millet grains. The study is scientifically sound and technically well conducted. However, it must be revised prior to consideration for publication. Some comments: 1. In abstract, briefly provide details of the analytical tool and approaches used for mycotoxin analysis. 2. Include standard deviation or std error in abstract along with permissible limits of mycotoxins in food. 3. Authors could provide the values of mycotoxins in ppb/ppm or molar values. 4. Provide appropriate citations or reference to methodology, see lines 150 to 188. 5. It seems to author have used a single method of HPLC for analysis. This should be clarified in abstract, introduction, and discussion. 6. Authors have analyzed samples from 3 regions---however, they mention only Idah in title and Figure 1. Please correct it. 7. Although, HPLC is most commonly used method, there are other methods making inroads in mycotoxin and food contaminant analysis (such as fluorescence and optical spectroscopy), authors should compare these approaches with HPLC in discussion and introduction (see examples: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teac.2022.e00184, PMID: 36843874 and PMID: 35345324).
Please rate the manuscript for methodological rigour
Satisfactory
Please rate the quality of the presentation and structure of the manuscript
Satisfactory
To what extent are the conclusions supported by the data?
Strongly support
Do you have any concerns of possible image manipulation, plagiarism or any other unethical practices?
No
Is there a potential financial or other conflict of interest between yourself and the author(s)?
No
If this manuscript involves human and/or animal work, have the subjects been treated in an ethical manner and the authors complied with the appropriate guidelines?
Yes
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Comments to Author
Dear author(s), Your MS entitled "EVALUATION OF MYCOTOXINS IN GRAINS SOLD IN IDAH AND ITS ENVIRONS" deeply analyzed the food contamination in the areas of Nigeria. Here are my suggestions to improve the MS. 1: Title needs improvement. It should be specific and concise. It may be written as "EVALUATION OF MYCOTOXINS CONTAMINATION IN GRAINS SOLD IN IDAH AND ADJOINING AREAS OF NIGERIA" 2: Abstract section should reflect more quantitative data, e.g., concentration of fumonisin should be mentioned. Also, other toxins mentioned in the result section should be reflected in the abstract section. 3: Lines 60-64 seems to be a duplication of lines 41-46. 4: In the Materials and Method section, all the subheadings in "Sample Collection Strategy" may be removed. Instead, all the methods should be written in a …
Comments to Author
Dear author(s), Your MS entitled "EVALUATION OF MYCOTOXINS IN GRAINS SOLD IN IDAH AND ITS ENVIRONS" deeply analyzed the food contamination in the areas of Nigeria. Here are my suggestions to improve the MS. 1: Title needs improvement. It should be specific and concise. It may be written as "EVALUATION OF MYCOTOXINS CONTAMINATION IN GRAINS SOLD IN IDAH AND ADJOINING AREAS OF NIGERIA" 2: Abstract section should reflect more quantitative data, e.g., concentration of fumonisin should be mentioned. Also, other toxins mentioned in the result section should be reflected in the abstract section. 3: Lines 60-64 seems to be a duplication of lines 41-46. 4: In the Materials and Method section, all the subheadings in "Sample Collection Strategy" may be removed. Instead, all the methods should be written in a single paragraph. 5: Please insert a map of the survey area highlighting the locations of the site of sample collection. 6: All the references are older than 2020. Please add some recent references of 2021-2023. Thanks and Regards.
Please rate the manuscript for methodological rigour
Good
Please rate the quality of the presentation and structure of the manuscript
Satisfactory
To what extent are the conclusions supported by the data?
Strongly support
Do you have any concerns of possible image manipulation, plagiarism or any other unethical practices?
No
Is there a potential financial or other conflict of interest between yourself and the author(s)?
No
If this manuscript involves human and/or animal work, have the subjects been treated in an ethical manner and the authors complied with the appropriate guidelines?
Yes
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