MYCOTOXIN CONTAMINATION OF FEEDSTUFF AND MYCOTOXICOSES ARE NEGLECTED LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION RESEARCH TOPICS IN NIGERIA

C. OKOLI

Tropical Animal Health and Production Research Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, P M B 1526, Owerri, Nigeria. E. Mail: dr_charleso@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Mycotoxin contamination of feedstuff and mycotoxicoses are important livestock production problems, which have received limited research attention in Nigeria. This neglect is shown to be due to poor curriculum development in animal science departments, poor multidisciplinary research culture, unavailability of properly equipped laboratories and high cost of mycotoxin research among others. This has resulted in lack of information on the mycoflora and mycotoxin contamination levels of feedstuff and poor mycotoxin awareness among farmers and consumers. Furthermore, limited data is available on appropriate use of mycotoxin binders in industry. Solutions to these include promotion of mycotoxin research in the country through the establishment of a regional mycotoxin network, collaboration with mycotoxin centers of excellence and research groups, organization of trainings and workshops, establishment of national mycotoxin research laboratory and organizing a national mycotoxin surveillance in animal feed stuff.

INTRODUCTION
Mycotoxin contamination of feedstuff and the mycotoxicoses that develop from livestock consumption of such contaminated feeds are important livestock production problems in the tropics. Varying temperatures, precipitation and humidity ranges experienced during the different seasons in the tropics influence the bionomics of fungi and fungal ability to elaborate toxins. Since commercial feeds and feed raw materials are sourced from wide geographical locations, they remain the major vehicles for introduction of pathogenic fungi and mycotoxins to local farm environments. Information on the magnitude of mycotoxin contamination of feedstuff and mycotoxicoses in Nigerian livestock, especially commercial poultry are however limited (Oyejide et al 1986; Udoh, 1997), indicating a general neglect of this important area of livestock research. This presentation highlights the evidences and reasons for this neglect, its implications on the country’s livestock industry and solutions to the problem.

EVIDENCES OF NEGLECT

A thorough search publications of major livestock production associations, veterinary faculties and animal science departments in Nigeria from 1998 to 2004 and International Mycotoxin Abstracting Newsletters did not reveal on ongoing or concluded presentations/articles on mycotoxin contamination of feedstuff and mycotoxicoses of livestock. These include

• Proceedings of Annual Conferences of Nigerian Society of Animal Production (NSAP)
• Proceeding of Annual Congress of Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA).
• Proceedings of Annual Conference of Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN).
• Abstracts and Proceedings of Agricultural society of Nigeria (ASN).
• The different journals of the societies and associations,
• Nigerian Journal for Animal Production.
• Nigerian Veterinary Journal
• Journal Tropical Animal Production
• Nigerian Agricultural Journal
• Faculty and Departmental based Journals
• Tropical veterinarian (University of Ibadan)
• Tropical Animal Production Investigations (University of Ibadan)
• Agri-Science (University of Nigeria Nsukka)
• Bio-Research (University of Nigeria Nsukka)
• International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development (Federal University of Technology, Owerri).
• International Abstracting Newsletters on Mycotoxin and Mycotoxicoses research.
• Australian Mycotoxin Newsletter, Abstracts.

REASONS FOR THE NEGLECT

• Microbiology and Toxicology, the major science disciplines that power mycotoxin research in livestock production are not currently in both undergraduate and graduate curricula of animal science departments in Nigeria. Similarly, because feeds and feeding are mainline animal science research issues, veterinary research interests are not properly kindled in that area of research. Mycotoxin research in livestock production seems therefore to exist at the interface of these two research groups.
• In Nigeria, mycotoxin contamination of grains and cereals is regarded mainly as a post harvest problem and has therefore remained crop and biological sciences research issue. This parochial definition of the problem has tends to exclude investigation of contaminations in other products such as animal feeds and animal food products.
• Well-equipped laboratories needed for Mycotoxin research is usually not easily available in a developing country such as Nigeria.
• The cost of basic mycotoxin analysis at the few commercial laboratories available in Nigeria is usually beyond the private funding ability of most graduate students.
• Unavailability of older faculty members with experience in mycotoxin research and who may be willing to accept graduate students for supervision.
• Poor linkage and collaboration with established centers of mycotoxin research and industry in the developed countries.

IMPLICATIONS ON LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY

• The fungal species growing in feedstuffs especially commercial poultry feeds and feed raw materials are currently not known.
• Mycotoxin contamination levels and variations of levels across the different seasons are not understood.
• The livestock farmers, feed millers and animal food products consumers are not appropriately sensitized on the dangers of mycotoxins in products.
• No scientific data to back decisions on industrial control of mycotoxin (use of mycotoxin binders) are lacking.
• Information needed for practical on-farm use of antioxidants is lacking.
• Industrial Standards and regulation documents on mycotoxin contamination of animal feeds and animal food products are unavailable.
• Absence of national elite club of experts in the area of mycotoxin research in livestock production.

SOLUTIONS

There is indeed an urgent need to generate quantifiable information on mycotoxin contamination of animal feeds and animal food products production, handling and consumption, and their possible impacts on human health in Nigeria. The major research issues that need to be addressed in order to generate relevant information for intervention and containment of the problem and its human health risks include;

• The detailed facts and statistics about mycotoxin quality of animal feeds and animal food products in Nigeria.
• The consequences of mycotoxin contaminated feeds on animal production and health of animal products consumers.
• The compelling economic and socio-cultural factors for the situation.
• The relevant policies and programs as well as obstacles and challenges facing the implementation of policies directed at improving the quality of animal feeds and animal food products.
• The socio-cultural conditions of animal feeds and products producers, marketers, regulating agencies and consumers of animal food products, and how these fit into a program for improvement and what difference these make for the animal food industry.
• The status, roles and rewards of animal feeds and products quality regulating agencies and their staff in the country.

THE FOLLOWING ARE ADVOCATED ON THE SHORT TERM

• Formation of a Regional Network of Scientists for Mycotoxin Research
• Collaboration with EU agencies on the establishment of a regional mycotoxin research center
• Provision of funding, trainings and workshops on mycotoxin contamination for animal production and veterinary scientists.
• Execution of a regional mycotoxin surveillance
• Public awareness campaigns

ON THE LONG TERM

• Microbiology and Toxicology, the major science disciplines need mycotoxin research should form part of undergraduate and graduate curricula of animal science departments in Nigeria.