Across sub-Saharan Africa, chili peppers are fundamental ingredients of many traditional dishes. However, chili peppers may contain unsafe aflatoxin concentrations produced by Aspergillus section Flavi fungi. Aflatoxin levels were determined in chili peppers from three states in Nigeria. A total of 70 samples were collected from farmers’ stores and local markets. Over 25% of the samples contained unsafe aflatoxin concentrations. The chili peppers were associated with both aflatoxin producers and atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus genotypes. E cacy of an atoxigenic biocontrol product, Aflasafe, registered in Nigeria for use on maize and groundnut, was tested for chili peppers grown in three states. Chili peppers treated with Aflasafe accumulated significantly less aflatoxins than nontreated chili peppers. The results suggest that Aflasafe is a valuable tool for the production of safe chili peppers. Use of Aflasafe in chili peppers could reduce human exposure to aflatoxins and increase chances to commercialize chili peppers in premium local and international markets. This is the first report of the e cacy of any atoxigenic biocontrol product for controlling aflatoxin in a spice crop.

https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/toxins11070429

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Alejandro Ortega-Beltranhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3747-8094

Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledonhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2530-6554

Ranajit Bandyopadhyayhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2422-4298

https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/toxins11070429

PLANT PRODUCTION & HEALTH

Aflatoxin; Disease Control; Plant Diseases; Plant Genetic Resources; Plant Health

Aflatoxins; Chillies; Biological Control; Nigeria; Pepper

Africa; West Africa

Nigeria

Toxins