Researchers at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) in Namulonge are on the verge of offering a solution to the escalating issue of aflatoxins, a problem posing not only a health concern but also a threat to the economy.
In a recent Media BioCafe organized by the Science Foundation for Livelihoods & Development (SCIFODE), Dr. Godfrey Asea, the Director of NaCRRI, announced the development of an aflasafe formulation named UG-01. This formulation can be disseminated by farmers in their fields to combat the aflatoxin-causing fungus.
“We had done extensive research, and we are confident that UG-01 can effectively counteract the bad ones,” stated Dr. Asea.
Uganda has frequently faced scrutiny for food contamination, linking it to a surge in liver cancer diagnoses. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, government-supplied free food to vulnerable populations was found to be tainted with aflatoxins.
Recently, Ugandan food exports to neighboring countries faced blockades due to the same issue. In July, sixty-five trucks carrying maize were halted at the Uganda-South Sudan border over allegations of aflatoxin levels exceeding 10bpp, a measure indicating high b-propeller phytase (bpp) abundance and unsuitability for human consumption.
Scientists propose applying the UG-01 formulation on crops two to three weeks before flowering to mitigate contamination. UG-01 functions by promoting beneficial fungi that out-compete aflatoxigenic fungi, restricting contamination during crop growth. Contrary to the common belief that aflatoxin contamination occurs during storage or post-harvest handling, Dr. Asea highlighted studies revealing that the primary contamination source is the soil while crops are still in the field.
“There is a lot of contamination in the early stages of growth, and ignoring this can exacerbate the problem,” cautioned Dr. Asea.
Extensive studies across more than 5000 fields in Uganda, testing UG-01 on maize, groundnuts, and sorghum, demonstrated a reduction in aflatoxin contamination by 66.7% in maize and 74.2% in sorghum.
The researchers are now finalizing data and formulating a commercialization strategy, anticipating regulatory approval by year-end. The cost and dosing details for farmers are yet to be determined.
Despite this breakthrough, scientists emphasize that UG-01 is not a silver bullet. Dr. Andrew Kiggundu, a Biotechnology consultant, advocates for a multi-pronged approach to reduce aflatoxin contamination, encompassing practices from cultivation to storage and transportation.
“We are only addressing one part of the problem; we are not yet there,” expressed Dr. Asea. The need for affordable rapid testing kits and increased focus on local consumption, rather than just export, is underscored as crucial for comprehensive aflatoxin control efforts.