April 30, 2007

Fungus in corn blamed for Africa's deaths

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) said that a poisonous strain of the fungus Aspergillus flavus, known as the "S" strain, has been the culprit for causing 125 food-related deaths in Kenya in 2004.

The ARS researchers, through a special permit, were able to obtain samples of contaminated corn from affected Kenyan villages. The researchers then grinded the corn and isolated the fungi to be grown in culture. The process has revealed presence of the "S" strain of A. flavus, a potent aflatoxin producer not previously known in Africa and said to be the most prevalent source of toxins in corn.

The fungus produces invisible toxins that are known to be carcinogenic or cancer-causing agents. It had also tainted portions of the country's corn crop the third time since 1981 that the so-called "Kenyan death fungus" has contaminated the African nation's primary food staple with deadly levels of poisons.

The scientists' findings, reported in the current issue of Applied and Environmental Microbiology, will be critical to researchers who are trying to devise methods for preventing future cases of fungal poisoning, or aflatoxicosis, in African corn.