Associate Laboratory on Biotechnology, Bioengineering and microELectromechanical Systems

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Organizational Unit

Publications

Contamination by aflatoxins in different food matrices produced and consumed in Mozambique

Publication . Matusse, Cláudio; Macuamule, Custódia; Bila, João; Sampaio, Ana; Venâncio, Armando; Rodrigues, Paula

Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites produced by various moulds that frequently contaminate food worldwide, being significant contributors to food losses in developing countries. In Mozambique, there is no comprehensive knowledge of the risk of mycotoxins in the country, nor structured actions to reduce the impacts of mycotoxins and promote health and food security in disadvantaged populations. This research aimed to analyse the level of contamination by aflatoxins in different food matrices produced and consumed in southern Mozambique. Ten samples were collected from each matrix (maize, rice, and peanut) in each of the 3 districts (Chongoene, Manjacaze and Chókwe) of Gaza province, and 10 peanut samples in each of the 3 districts (Massinga, Inhambane and Inharrime) of Inhambane province, in a total of 120 samples. Samples were collected between January and June 2023 from local markets and producers. Samples were analysed for total aflatoxins using the lateral flow strip, AgraStrip® Pro WATEX® (Romer Labs) method. Results showed that, from all matrices, the highest levels of aflatoxins were found in maize, with averages ranging from 369.2 (in Manjacaze) to 1,972.6 ug/kg (in Chokwe). Average aflatoxin levels in rice ranged between 1.2 (Chongoene) and 63.08 ug/kg (Manjacaze). Peanuts from the province of Inhambane were more contaminated than those from Gaza, with averages ranging from 5.6 (Manjacaze, Gaza) to 95 ug/kg (Inhambane). Considering that the maximum admissible levels for total aflatoxins recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for cereals and pulses is 15 ug/kg, the level of aflatoxin contamination in food produced and consumed in southern Mozambique is high and constitutes a public health risk for the population. Therefore, risk mitigation strategies are urgently needed.

2023Conference object

Open access

Glycyrrhiza glabra hydroethanolic extract and manuka honey alone and in combination inhibit bacterial and fungal planktonic cells and biofilms

Publication . Gomes, Fernanda; Dias, Maria Inês; Rodrigues, Maria Elisa; Barros, Lillian; Henriques, Mariana

The natural tendency of polymicrobial infections and co-habitation of bacteria and Candida are currently well-recognized and reported as highly fatal. This kind of interaction is usually associated with drug tolerance, infection relapse, persistence and high mortality. The interest in natural products has emerged and their potential applicability as therapeutic strategies is being constantly explored. Purpose: The main goal of this work is to evaluate the effect of the hydroethanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Manuka honey, in Staphylococcus aureus and Candida tropicalis planktonic cells and single and mixed biofilms. Methods: The effect of both the G. glabra extract and the honey was evaluated by determination of the minimum inhibitory/bactericidal/fungicidal concentrations and by determination of their antibiofilm activity (alone and in combination) on single and mixed-species biofilms. In addition, phenolic compounds were characterized in the hydroethanolic extract with high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Results: Among the phenolic compounds identified in the G. glabra extract, flavonoids were the most abundant (≈75 % of the total phenolic compounds), with liquiritigenin being the most representative. S. aureus and C. tropicalis were susceptible to both antimicrobials acting alone. When tested in combination, a significative synergism was observed against C. tropicalis single biofilm formation. Instead, the combination showed an additive effect against mixed biofilms of S. aureus and C. tropicalis. In general the combination G. glabra+honey showed a broader antibiofilm effect than each partner alone. Conclusion: The results showed the good anti S. aureus and C. tropicalis effect of G. glabra and manuka honey against both pathogens tested and highlighted their potential use in combination as therapeutic strategy to combat S. aureus, C. tropicalis and mixed species infections particularly when growing as biofilms.

2024Journal article

Open access

Isolation of filamentous fungi from different food matrices from Angola and Mozambique

Publication . Vale-Dias, Teresa; Matusse, Cláudio; Carvalho, Susana; Silva, Beatriz; Soares, Célia; Lucamba, Zelda; Afonso, Sandra; Venâncio, Armando; Rodrigues, Paula

Agriculture remains the main economic activity in most African countries. However, crops are often contaminated with fungi that can cause diseases or produce mycotoxins, which is a major concern to food safety and security. Little is known about the mycotoxigenic fungi contaminating the most relevant staples in Mozambique and Angola. The aim of this work was to isolate and identify fungi from three food commodities – corn, peanuts and beans – and understand if they are a source of mycotoxin exposure to the populations, as these products are fundamental to the local food diet, and important to the economy. Samples of corn from Mozambique, and samples of peanuts and beans from Angola (four samples of each) were analysed for fungal contamination. Samples were also surveyed for aflatoxins using the AgraStrip® Pro WATEX® (Romer) method. Twenty-five grains of each sample were directly plated onto DRBC, and filamentous fungi were isolated after 5 to 7 days of incubation at 25 °C. A total of 56 fungal isolates representing the various fungal morphotypes were molecularly identified by Sanger sequencing of the ITS region. The microbiota of all samples was mainly composed of Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp. and Penicillium sp., many of them belonging to mycotoxigenic species. Phytopathogenic fungi of four genera – Lasiodiplodia sp., Macrophomina sp., Nigrospora sp. and Pseudocercospora sp. – were also identified. Most species were common to all types of samples. Aflatoxins were detected in all samples.

2023Conference poster

Open access

Aflatoxin Contamination of Various Staple Foods from Angola and Mozambique

Publication . Matusse, Cláudio; Lucamba, Zelda; Bila, João; Macuamule, Custódia; Sampaio, Ana; Afonso, Sandra; Venâncio, Armando; Rodrigues, Paula

Aflatoxins constitute a significant risk in staple foods produced in African countries. This research aimed to analyze the total aflatoxin (AFT) contamination of various staple foods in Angola and Mozambique. A total of 233 samples of corn, peanuts, beans, rice, and cassava flour collected from farmers or local markets from the province of Cuanza Sul, Angola, and the provinces of Gaza and Inhambane, South Mozambique, were analyzed for the presence of AFT using the lateral flow strip method via AgraStrip® ProWATEX® (Romer). The results showed that, from all matrices, the highest incidence and level of AFT were found in corn produced in Mozambique, with medians ranging from 6.5 to 66.5 μg/kg, with the samples showing values as high as 9200 μg/kg. Levels higher than the maximum admissible levels recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for cereals and pulses (15 μg/kg) were observed in up to 90% of the corn samples, depending on the province. Corn produced in Angola showed lower amounts of AFT, with medians ranging from 1.2 to 7.7 μg/kg. Considering the maximum admissible levels for AFT recommended by the European Commission and the Codex Alimentarius Commission for cereals and pulses, the level of AFT contamination in staple food produced and consumed in the studied provinces is high and constitutes a public health risk for the population. Therefore, risk mitigation strategies are urgently needed.

2024Journal article

Open access

Assessment of farmer’s knowledge and attitudes toward fungi and mycotoxin contamination in staple crops in southern Mozambique

Publication . Bila, João; Macuamule, Custódia; Bombe, Amina; Ribeiro, Maria Isabel; Venâncio, Armando; Afonso, Sandra; Rodrigues, Paula

In Mozambique, 80% of the population directly depends on agriculture as a source of food and income. However, some of the most produced food crops, such as maize, rice and peanuts, are easily contaminated by fungi and mycotoxins. The naturally high prevalence of mycotoxins can be aggravated by the high vulnerability and lack of knowledge of the farmers. The aims of this study were to assess the knowledge and perceptions of small-size and medium-size farmers in the provinces of Inhambane and Gaza, southern Mozambique, regarding awareness of fungi and mycotoxin contamination of food crops, losses of production and income, and the causes and consequences of this contamination. A survey was conducted with 180 farmers in the two provinces. A multiple linear regression model was used to correlate the level of knowledge with the sociodemographic characteristics of the studied population. Results The results showed that 97.8% of the farmers have an insufficient level of knowledge about fungi and mycotoxins contamination of food crops. While 17.8% showed sufficient or good knowledge of the conditions that promote fungal contamination, only 3.9% knew what measures to apply to mitigate their occurrence. The level of knowledge was lower for the Inhambane farmers. According to the estimated model, province, gender, age (>45 years old), primary and secondary (1st cycle) education, another source of income other than agriculture and experience as a farmer (>10 years) are statistically significant predictors of the level of knowledge of the Mozambican farmers analyzed. These findings highlight the urgent need of tailored interventions to promote good agricultural and storage practices that allow the mitigation of mycotoxin contamination of food.

2025Journal article

Open access