Mitigating Aflatoxin Contamination in Groundnut through A Combination of Genetic Resistance and Post-Harvest Management Practices

Abstract

Aflatoxin is considered a "hidden poison" due to its slow and adverse effect on various biological pathways in humans, particularly among children, in whom it leads to delayed development, stunted growth, liver damage, and liver cancer. Unfortunately, the unpredictable behavior of the fungus as well as climatic conditions pose serious challenges in precise phenotyping, genetic prediction and genetic improvement, leaving the complete onus of preventing aflatoxin contamination in crops on post-harvest management. Equipping popular crop varieties with genetic resistance to aflatoxin is key to effective lowering of infection in farmer's fields. A combination of genetic resistance for in vitro seed colonization (IVSC), pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination (PAC) and aflatoxin production together with pre- and post-harvest management may provide a sustainable solution to aflatoxin contamination. In this context, modern "omics" approaches, including next-generation genomics technologies, can provide improved and decisive information and genetic solutions. Preventing contamination will not only drastically boost the consumption and trade of the crops and products across nations/regions, but more importantly, stave off deleterious health problems among consumers across the globe.

Keywords: Aspergillus flavus; aflatoxin contamination; genetic resistance; groundnut; post-harvest management.

Figure 1

Impact of aflatoxin contamination across the groundnut value chain. Poor storage and inappropriate transportation procedures are the bottlenecks in the post-harvest stage of harvest aflatoxin contamination, subsequently causing financial loss to farmers and traders. Once these contaminated products enter the food-feed chain and travel across it, they can have an adverse impact on human health.

Figure 2

Deployment of a combination of genetic and omics approaches will develop better understanding of the pathways and genomic tools which will help in tackling aflatoxin contamination in crops through genetic improvement using genomics-assisted breeding.