@article{ChilakaObidiegwuChilakaetal.2022,
  author    = {Chilaka, Cynthia Adaku and Obidiegwu, Jude Ejikeme and Chilaka, Augusta Chinenye and Atanda, Olusegun Oladimeji and Mally, Angela},
  title     = {Mycotoxin regulatory status in Africa: a decade of weak institutional efforts},
  series = {Toxins},
  volume    = {14},
  journal   = {Toxins},
  number    = {7},
  issn      = {2072-6651},
  doi       = {10.3390/toxins14070442},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-278941},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Food safety problems are a major hindrance to achieving food security, trade, and healthy living in Africa. Fungi and their secondary metabolites, known as mycotoxins, represent an important concern in this regard. Attempts such as agricultural, storage, and processing practices, and creation of awareness to tackle the menace of fungi and mycotoxins have yielded measurable outcomes especially in developed countries, where there are comprehensive mycotoxin legislations and enforcement schemes. Conversely, most African countries do not have mycotoxin regulatory limits and even when available, are only applied for international trade. Factors such as food insecurity, public ignorance, climate change, poor infrastructure, poor research funding, incorrect prioritization of resources, and nonchalant attitudes that exist among governmental organisations and other stakeholders further complicate the situation. In the present review, we discuss the status of mycotoxin regulation in Africa, with emphasis on the impact of weak mycotoxin legislations and enforcement on African trade, agriculture, and health. Furthermore, we discuss the factors limiting the establishment and control of mycotoxins in the region.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{DekantLangerLuppetal.2021,
  author    = {Dekant, Raphael and Langer, Michael and Lupp, Maria and Adaku Chilaka, Cynthia and Mally, Angela},
  title     = {In vitro and in vivo analysis of ochratoxin A-derived glucuronides and mercapturic acids as biomarkers of exposure},
  series = {Toxins},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {Toxins},
  number    = {8},
  issn      = {2072-6651},
  doi       = {10.3390/toxins13080587},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-245146},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a widespread food contaminant, with exposure estimated to range from 0.64 to 17.79 ng/kg body weight (bw) for average consumers and from 2.40 to 51.69 ng/kg bw per day for high consumers. Current exposure estimates are, however, associated with considerable uncertainty. While biomarker-based approaches may contribute to improved exposure assessment, there is yet insufficient data on urinary metabolites of OTA and their relation to external dose to allow reliable estimates of daily intake. This study was designed to assess potential species differences in phase II biotransformation in vitro and to establish a correlation between urinary OTA-derived glucuronides and mercapturic acids and external exposure in rats in vivo. In vitro analyses of OTA metabolism using the liver S9 of rats, humans, rabbits and minipigs confirmed formation of an OTA glucuronide but provided no evidence for the formation of OTA-derived mercapturic acids to support their use as biomarkers. Similarly, OTA-derived mercapturic acids were not detected in urine of rats repeatedly dosed with OTA, while indirect analysis using enzymatic hydrolysis of the urine samples prior to LC-MS/MS established a linear relationship between urinary glucuronide excretion and OTA exposure. These results support OTA-derived glucuronides but not mercapturic acids as metabolites suitable for biomonitoring.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{AdakuChilakaMally2020,
  author    = {Adaku Chilaka, Cynthia and Mally, Angela},
  title     = {Mycotoxin Occurrence, Exposure and Health Implications in Infants and Young Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review},
  series = {Foods},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Foods},
  number    = {11},
  issn      = {2304-8158},
  doi       = {10.3390/foods9111585},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-219250},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Infants and young children (IYC) remain the most vulnerable population group to environmental hazards worldwide, especially in economically developing regions such as sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). As a result, several governmental and non-governmental institutions including health, environmental and food safety networks and researchers have been proactive toward protecting this group. Mycotoxins, toxic secondary fungal metabolites, contribute largely to the health risks of this young population. In SSA, the scenario is worsened by socioeconomic status, poor agricultural and storage practices, and low level of awareness, as well as the non-establishment and lack of enforcement of regulatory limits in the region. Studies have revealed mycotoxin occurrence in breast milk and other weaning foods. Of concern is the early exposure of infants to mycotoxins through transplacental transfer and breast milk as a consequence of maternal exposure, which may result in adverse health effects. The current paper presents an overview of mycotoxin occurrence in foods intended for IYC in SSA. It discusses the imperative evidence of mycotoxin exposure of this population group in SSA, taking into account consumption data and the occurrence of mycotoxins in food, as well as biomonitoring approaches. Additionally, it discusses the health implications associated with IYC exposure to mycotoxins in SSA.},
  language  = {en}
}