Assoc. Prof. Bernard Thole

Assoc. Prof. Bernard Thole

Co-author

Physics & Biochemical Sciences

15 publications

Working with Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences since 2001. Currently an associate Professor in Applied Chemistry. Worked with the Malawi Bureau of Standards as a Standards Development Manager in the Chemicals & Textiles Division between 1996 to 2001.
Have supervised 4 PhD, 5 MPhil...

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Prevalence of aflatoxins and fumonisins (B1+B2) in Maize consumed in rural Malawi

Journal Article
Published 1 year ago, 253 views
Author
Dan Mwalwayo
Co-authors
Assoc. Prof. Bernard Thole
Abstract
A study was carried out to assess levels of contamination of aflatoxins and fumonisins (B1 + B2) in maize produced, stored and consumed in rural households in Malawi. A total of 9 districts were selected across the country representing 3 districts from each of the Northern, Central and Southern regions respectively. Households were selected at random in each district where 10 maize samples were collected for laboratory analysis. Aflatoxins and fumonisins were analyzed using a single step lateral flow immunochromatographic assay based on a competitive immunoassay format. The detection limit for aflatoxins was 2 μg/kg with a quantitation range of 2-150 μg/kg and that for fumonisins was 1 mg/kg with a quantitation range of 1-7 mg/kg. It was found that samples in the Southern region were highly contaminated, with the Chikhwawa district having high levels of both aflatoxins and fumonisins in maize. The Northern region had the least contamination. The maximum detected amount of aflatoxins was 140 μg/kg. The maximum detected amounts of fumonisins was 7 mg/kg. About 20% of maize samples exceeded the tolerable maximum limit for aflatoxins in Malawi. Aflatoxins and fumonisins were found to co-occur with contamination levels exceeding 100 μg/kg for both aflatoxins and fumonisins.
Year of Publication
2016
Journal Name
Toxicology Reports
Volume
18
Issue
3
Page Numbers
173-179
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