The Rising Threat of Mycotoxins in South American Agriculture
Climate Change and Food Safety Risks
Mycotoxins contaminate various crops, posing significant risks to food safety and public health. These naturally occurring toxins, primarily from fungi like Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Alternaria, are commonly found in foodstuffs such as grains, nuts, fruits, and dairy products. In South America, a continent with diverse climates and agriculture, mycotoxins are a growing concern, especially with the added challenge of climate change.
Mycotoxin Occurrence in South America
The climate of South America, ranging from tropical to temperate and arid zones, provides favourable conditions for fungal growth and mycotoxin production. The region is a major producer of crops like corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, coffee, and cacao, all of which are susceptible to mycotoxin contamination. Studies conducted in Brazil and Argentina, two key agricultural producers, have found notable contamination of cereals, nuts, and dairy products with common mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxins (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEN).
In Brazil, aflatoxins have been detected in peanuts, milk, and cereals, with levels exceeding safety limits in some cases. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk is also a concern. Argentina has seen contamination in corn, wheat, and even fruits like apples and tomatoes. Newer, emerging mycotoxins like tentoxin, altertoxin-I, and altenuene have also been found, raising the need for broader monitoring
Climate Change and Mycotoxin Contamination
Climate change exacerbates mycotoxin risks in South America. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased humidity can create ideal conditions for fungi to proliferate. Studies show that climate change can affect the growth of mycotoxigenic fungi, especially those producing aflatoxins and fumonisins in maize and other crops. Shifts in weather patterns may also cause fungi that previously thrived in one region to spread to new areas, introducing new mycotoxin risks.
In addition, rising CO2 levels and changes in rainfall can affect soil microbes, promoting fungi that produce mycotoxins. This is especially concerning for countries like Argentina and Chile, where a temperate climate is more vulnerable to such changes, potentially increasing the risk of aflatoxin contamination.
Regulatory Challenges and Research Gaps
Addressing mycotoxin contamination in South America is complicated by inconsistent regulations across countries. While countries like Brazil and Argentina have established some mycotoxin limits for products like milk and cereals, many South American nations lack such regulations. The monitoring of mycotoxins also varies, with some countries using less sensitive methods like ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) while others employ more advanced techniques such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The latter allows for better detection of multiple mycotoxins simultaneously.
There is also a lack of research on emerging mycotoxins, which may pose new risks to food safety. Contaminants such as altertoxin-I and beauvericin are not well understood, and more research is needed to assess their potential health impacts.
Conclusion
Mycotoxins present a significant food safety challenge in South America, affecting crops vital to the region’s economy and public health. Climate change is expected to worsen these risks, as changing weather patterns favor fungal growth. Strengthening food safety regulations and monitoring systems across the continent is essential to reduce mycotoxin contamination. Furthermore, more research into emerging mycotoxins and the impact of climate change on fungal contamination is needed to ensure better food safety in the future.
