Abstract
M.Tech.
Fungi and their mycotoxins are major contaminants of cereals and maize which is the major staple
food for Angolan population. The consumption of fungal and mycotoxins contaminated maize can
induce health problems as these mycotoxins are known to induce immune suppression and other
chronic diseases known as mycotoxicoses. In addition, to these mycotoxins also induce chronic
diseases such as cancers of various types (liver, oesophageal, brain). Mycotoxins also immensely
affect organs such as fragility and haemorrhage in tissues, liver-necrosis, bile-duct proliferation,
caustic effects, intestinal haemorrhage and diarrhoea, adenomatosis, tremors, inco-ordination, mania,
coma, photosensitization, sloughing of the extremities, nephrosis, uremia, infertility, prolonged
oestrus, huge implications and infections in people with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-
AIDS. There is a very little known about the incidence of mycotoxins in Angola, which are
associated with Food, Environment and Health. Therefore, the aim of this scientific novel study in
history of Angola was to analyse maize samples obtained from major markets in Angola and to
establish their quality with regard to mycotoxins and fungi and well as to establish possible links to
the prevalent diseases as well as chronic diseases recorded among Angolan populations. To attain
these aims, 60 samples of maize were randomly selected and purchased from open rural and nonregulated
informal (dusty and food exposed to open air) markets around Luanda, Angola. Luanda,
being the capital city of Angola was found to be the best place to sample, because of the presence of
huge markets in which food products as well as maize produced in different provinces are delivered
and sold to its high population. Thus, sampling in these markets was representative of the whole
country and the results obtained give an approximate the status of the quality of maize consumed in
different parts of Angola. The result from this study approximates the status of possible health risks
that consumers can be exposed due to consumption of these mycotoxins. The samples were analysed
in the Food Environmental and Health Research Laboratories at the University of Johannesburg for
fungi and mycotoxins contamination using fungal screening methodologies. In terms of mycotoxins
extraction, a multi-mycotoxin (solvent-solvent) extraction, solid phase extraction using SAX column
for fumonisins (FBs) and immuno-affinity column (VICAM) were used for confirmation of results.
Normal thin layer chromatography (TLC), reversed phase thin layer chromatography (RPTLC) (both
for FBs confirmation), fluorometer “VICAM” and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
were techniques used for mycotoxins detection, identification and quantification. From the results
obtained in this study, fungal isolation revealed contamination of the three most important toxigenic
species: Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium spp.