JKUAT has long been at the forefront of providing innovative solutions through research-driven initiatives. Through the EU-funded AIRTEA Project, the university is developing effective strategies to combat aflatoxin contamination and reduce postharvest losses, ensuring safer food and improved livelihoods for communities across East Africa.
Under Prof. Nelson Ojijo from JKUAT’s Department of Food Science, the project seeks to address Aflatoxins, which are toxic compounds produced by certain fungi, identified as a serious threat to the safety of food, including omena (silver cyprinid), a staple fish consumed across East Africa.
These toxins pose significant health risks, which include liver cancer, stunted growth in infants, reduction in cognitive abilities, among others, leading to dire consequences especially for those with compromised immunity. This occurs through exposure in small doses over a prolonged period.
Prof. Ojijo, the project lead of the Project that is also addressing postharvest issues in omena, highlights that high moisture content in cereals and fish (caused by prolonged drying times or moisture absorption during storage) is a key factor in the growth of aflatoxins
He recommends a sequential approach beginning with soaking fresh omena in a hypertonic solution (water mixed high concentrations of salt and vinegar), followed by spreading the fish on racks inside a hybrid solar dryer. This innovation, developed in collaboration with Agricultural Engineers from JKUAT, has drastically reduced omena drying time from eight hours to just two, effectively curbing fungal growth and preventing aflatoxin contamination.”
This dryer is especially valuable during cold or cloudy weather when traditional sun drying methods fail. During a visit to Dunga and Marenga beaches in August by a team from JKUAT led by Dr. Erick Ronoh, the fisherfolk expressed their gratitude for the innovation noting that the hybrid solar dryer has been successfully adopted and utilized in Kisumu and Busia counties, improving food safety while preserving the nutritional and economic value of omena.
Stephen Muse, the Chairman of the Beach Management Unit (BMU) in Marenga explained that the innovation has come in
handy for the fisherfolk who handle over 8,000 kilograms of omena per day. Previously most of it would perish leading to low economic returns.
According to another BMU member Ms. Sarafine Nekesa, the use of the simple hypertonic solution(high concentration of salt and vinegar)a which they learnt through the AIRTEA project hastens the drying process and has improved the quality of the final product.
As explained by Prof. Ojijo, research has shown that aflatoxin levels in omena exceed the recommended limits by over 100 times, posing a significant public health risk.
“The situation is so severe that the African Union has established a dedicated department called Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa so as to sensitize people on the dangers of aflatoxins and develop strategies for countries to be able to manage aflatoxins in produce like cereals or fish,” said Prof. Ojijo.
Beyond direct consumption, the problem escalates when aflatoxin-contaminated omena is used as feed for poultry. The toxins accumulate in chicken products like eggs and meat, which are then consumed by humans, creating a vicious cycle of contamination with potentially life-threatening consequences, including liver damage and cancer.
As the AIRTEA project comes to an end after three years through the support of Forum for Agricultural Reasearch in Africa (FARA) and East Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF), Prof. Ojijo is optimistic that research is making good strides towards healthier food for all.
