Benoit Gnonlonfin in a maize farm in eastern Kenya
For 15 years, Benoit Gnonlonfin has dedicated himself to the study of mycotoxins and especially aflatoxin contamination of food crops in sub-Saharan Africa.
Aflatoxins (Aspergillus mycotoxins) are estimated to contaminate 25% of the global food supply – with 4.5 billion people exposed to high, unmonitored levels – primarily in developing countries. These highly carcinogenic fungi by-products are associated with immunosuppression, reduced nutrient absorption and stunting of infants.
Not much is known about the level of aflatoxin contamination of feed and foodstuffs in Africa, yet it causes untold economic losses to small holder farmers, the majority food producers on the continent.
“My dream is to help these farmers who have little or no technology to prevent their crops from being contaminated” says Benoit.
Benoit’s passion in this area of research has led him to write numerous articles on mycotoxins, 22 of which have been published in international peer-reviewed journals. His latest article published in the Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition Journal highlights research questions on the conditions conducive to aflatoxin production, contamination processes and evaluates the potential risk of exposure from common African foods.
The publication of this article coincides with a critical phase of the BecA-ILRI Hub led “Capacity and Action for Aflatoxin Reduction in Eastern Africa (CAAREA)” project that Benoit is involved in which is looking at adapting aflatoxin diagnostics and analysis tools to the African small holder farmer’s context. As part of the CAAREA team, Benoit has played a major role in establishing a state-of-the-art regional mycotoxin diagnostic platform which is already in use by universities and other partners including advanced research institutions conducting mycotoxin-related research projects.
Benoit has dedicated many years of his career to investigating these issues. In response to the question on the demands his research and writing has placed on him, Benoit says:
“When you have such an important objective, to improve the level of food safety and security in Africa, you must make a lot of sacrifices to accomplish it”.
Read the full review article here .
Read more about the AusAID funded CAAREA project here .