A prevention strategy against fungal attack for the conservation of cultural assets using a fungal index

The present study aimed to establish a prevention strategy to protect cultural assets from fungal attack. A fungal index that assesses conditions critical for fungal growth was determined using a fungal detector in the storerooms of historical buildings in Higashiomi area, Japan. The index measurements were repeated after 4 weeks' exposure of the detectors during the seasons when relative humidity outdoors and/or indoors was high. The index values obtained were from below the measurable lower limit to above the upper limit. The prevention strategy proposed was as follows. Each microclimate was categorized into three levels, A, B, or C, depending on the index values, <1.8, 1.8–18 or >18, respectively. If all microclimates in a room maintain level A continuously, the room is considered free of contamination. If some microclimates maintain level B, fungal contamination might occur. If microclimates maintain level C, fungal contamination is unavoidable, and countermeasures should be taken promptly. Finally, fungal indices are measured for evaluation of the countermeasures and for level-A confirmation. The systematic use of fungal indices will provide practically useful information for conservation and must be applicable to IPM (Integrated Pest Management) in museums and libraries.     

House-dust community (Fungi,mites) in different climatic regions

Summary House-dust flora and fauna were compared in the maritime cool temperate climate (in three degrees of continentality), the mediterranean warm temperate climate, the arctic climate and the tropical climate.An inverse relationship exists between continentality of the temperate climate and the numbers of arthropods and fungi (mesophilic as well as xerophilic) in the dust of the houses.The numbers of arthropods and fungi were lowest in mediterranean and arctic climates, most likely because of the limiting effect of the drier indoor climate. Fungi are more tolerant of dry conditions than house-dust inhabiting mites. Generally the highest numbers of fungal diaspores and arthropods were found in the tropics, where, however, the lowest number of positive samples was also found, especially for the species of the Aspergillus glaucus group and for Wallemia sebi. Maritime cool temperate climate showed the highest numbers of positive samples for fungi and mites.In general, a relationship exists between relative humidity and the density of fungal diaspores and arthropods.Supported by grants no. 294 and 78.30 of the Dutch Asthma Foundation     

陕西省退耕还林植被覆盖度与湿润指数的变化关系

使用MODIS-NDVI数据和气象站点资料,通过GIS遥感技术和数理统计等方法,分析了陕西省退耕还林后(2000—2012年)植被覆盖度与湿润指数的时空变化规律及两者变化的关系。结果表明,陕西省植被覆盖度和湿润指数都呈现由南向北递减的分布规律并且有明显的季节变化特征。2000—2012年,陕西省植被覆盖度在波动中呈现大幅增加的趋势,陕北地区增加最为显著,生态环境得到明显改善,然而部分城市周边地区植被有退化的迹象。2000—2012年湿润指数年际变化波动较大,有上升的趋势,陕南地区增加显著。空间分布上随着植被覆盖度的增加湿润指数呈指数变化趋势,相关性与植被覆盖度面积取值范围有关,范围取值越大相关系数越高。植被覆盖度的年际变化受到气候和人为因素影响,陕南地区植被覆盖度与湿润指数的相关性较显著,而受到人为影响比较明显的陕北、关中地区相关性不显著。     

黄土丘陵区小流域不同海拔刺槐径向生长对气候的响应差异

为明确黄土高原丘陵区第三副区典型流域-甘肃天水罗玉沟流域刺槐生长过程及其与气候关系随海拔变化的规律。利用树木年代学方法分别建立高、中、低3个海拔刺槐的标准年表,并分析不同海拔刺槐径向生长过程以及对气候变化的响应。研究结果表明：(1)中、低海拔刺槐径向生长与温度因素多为负相关,而高海拔刺槐径向生长与温度因素多呈正相关。高海拔刺槐生长与上一年生长季(6月)、休眠期(当年3—4月)和当年生长季(6月)均温、最低温和最高温呈显著正相关,其中受最低温影响最显著;中、低海拔刺槐与上一年生长季和当年生长季的均温、最高温和最低温呈显著负相关,低海拔受均温影响显著。(2)随海拔升高,刺槐径向生长与降水和相对湿度的正相关呈降低趋势。低海拔刺槐生长与上一年生长季(7—9月)和当年生长季(6—9月)降水、相对湿度呈显著正相关,中海拔刺槐与当年生长季(6—9月)降水、相对湿度呈显著正相关,而高海拔刺槐生长与上一年生长季(6—7月)相对湿度呈显著负相关。(3)低海拔刺槐与上一年6月—当年10月帕默尔干旱指数(PDSI)呈显著正相关;中海拔刺槐与上一年6月和当年2—10月PDSI呈显著正相关;高海拔刺槐与上一年6—...     

Climate and topography drives macroscale biodiversity through land‐use change in a human‐dominated world

Drivers of biodiversity at macroscales have long been of interest in ecology, and climate and topography are now considered to be major drivers. Because humans have transformed most of the Earth's land surface, land use may play a significant role as a driver of biodiversity at a macroscale. Here we disentangle the relationships among climate, topography, land use, available energy (measured by the normalized difference vegetation index [NDVI]), and species richness of Japanese forest birds. Species richness was better explained at 40‐ and 80‐km resolutions than at 5‐, 10‐ and 20‐km resolutions; it was explained by climate, topography, and land use, and the effects of land use were fully incorporated into those of climate and topography. As temperature increased and elevation decreased, natural forest area decreased, and this decrease intensified in warm lowland areas. With the loss of natural forest, species richness decreased below a certain threshold. As temperature increased and elevation decreased, species richness and NDVI increased slightly or were unchanged in cool highland areas and decreased in warm lowland areas. Species richness increased linearly with the increase in NDVI. Most effects of climate/topography on species richness in warm lowland areas were shared by those of land use, suggesting that the decrease in species richness in warm lowland areas has been caused by loss of natural forest. Therefore, it is suggested that climate and topography determined land use intensity, which in turn, drove species richness through the depletion of available energy. Increasing temperature and decreasing elevation leads to both benefits (increase in potential available energy) and costs (depletion of energy by human land‐use change) for forest birds. These costs seem to override benefits in warm lowland areas.     

KIRA指标的拓展及其在中国植被与气候关系研究中的应用

根据Kira以月平均气温5℃为界的热量指数和干湿度指数概念,提出了以月平均气温10℃为界的生物热量指数,包括生物温暖指数(BWI)和生物寒冷指数(BCI),并修正其干湿度指数为生物干湿度指数(BK).利用中国689个标准气象台站的资料,分析我国主要植被类型分布与热量因子和干湿度因子的关系,得出两者之间较好的相关性,生物温暖指数、寒冷指数和干湿度指数的散点图较好地表现了中国各植被类型与气候指标的关系和格局.以10℃为界的生物温暖指数不仅对我国森林植被的地理分布和温度气候带的划分具有较好的指示作用,而且对西南部高山、亚高山地区的植被与气候关系指示性较强;生物寒冷指数则对亚热带和热带的指示性很好,能够较好区分亚热带南部及热带地区;由热量指数和降水量综合得出的生物干湿度指数,对中国西北部干旱、半干旱区以至全国的植被分布与水分、热量因子的关系分析有较好的应用价值.     

Tree‐ring stable isotopes record the impact of a foliar fungal pathogen on CO2 assimilation and growth in Douglas‐fir

Swiss needle cast (SNC) is a fungal disease of Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) that has recently become prevalent in coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest. We used growth measurements and stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen in tree‐rings of Douglas‐fir and a non‐susceptible reference species (western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla) to evaluate their use as proxies for variation in past SNC infection, particularly in relation to potential explanatory climate factors. We sampled trees from an Oregon site where a fungicide trial took place from 1996 to 2000, which enabled the comparison of stable isotope values between trees with and without disease. Carbon stable isotope discrimination (Δ¹³C) of treated Douglas‐fir tree‐rings was greater than that of untreated Douglas‐fir tree‐rings during the fungicide treatment period. Both annual growth and tree‐ring Δ¹³C increased with treatment such that treated Douglas‐fir had values similar to co‐occurring western hemlock during the treatment period. There was no difference in the tree‐ring oxygen stable isotope ratio between treated and untreated Douglas‐fir. Tree‐ring Δ¹³C of diseased Douglas‐fir was negatively correlated with relative humidity during the two previous summers, consistent with increased leaf colonization by SNC under high humidity conditions that leads to greater disease severity in following years.     

PHOTOSYNTHETIC SENSITIVITY TO TEMPERATURE IN POPULATIONS OF TWO C4 BOUTELOUA (POACEAE) SPECIES NATIVE TO DIFFERENT ALTITUDES

The relationships between photosynthesis, flowering, and growth temperatures were examined experimentally in four populations of the C₄ grass genus Bouteloua. Field-collected plants were grown under two temperature regimes, cool (20 C day/6 C night) and warm (30/16), representative of the extreme populations. Populations collected from the warm climates had significantly lower photosynthetic capacity when grown in the cool chamber relative to the warm chamber, while photosynthetic capacity in the cool climate populations did not differ between the growth conditions. Additionally, exposure to a 2-day cold temperature treatment (10/-2), representative of late-season frosts in high altitude sites, resulted in further reductions in photosynthesis in the warm climate plants, but not in the cool climate plants. This effect was greater for plants grown in the cool growth chamber. Flowering was reduced by 70% in the warm climate plants grown in the cool chamber, and was correlated with photosynthetic inhibition following the short-term cold temperature treatment. These results indicate that genetic differentiation for photosynthetic temperature sensitivity has occurred in the cool climate populations, and that long-term exposure to cool temperatures coupled with short-term relatively extreme low temperatures results in greater photosynthetic inhibition in nontolerant populations.     

Predacious activity of Duddingtonia flagrans within the cattle faecal pat

Two studies were conducted to investigate the growth and activity of the fungus, Duddingtonia flagrans, within cattle faecal pats. Artificial faecal pats were constructed with the centre separated from the outer layer by a nylon mesh. Eight treatments were tested, by varying the presence/absence of Cooperia oncophora eggs and fungal spores within each layer. With parasite eggs in the centre layer, a statistically lower recovery of larvae was observed compared to both pats with parasite eggs in the periphery and pats with parasite eggs throughout both layers. Regardless of location within the pat, if co-located with the parasite egg, D. flagrans was found to be effective in trapping developing larvae. The reduction in recovery of larvae from pats with parasite eggs and fungal spores in the centre was found to be significantly higher than when parasite eggs were in the centre and fungal spores in the periphery. In the second study, pats were made up in two treatments: pats containing fungal spores and C. oncophora eggs (fungus) and pats containing C. oncophora eggs (control). The pats were incubated at low or high humidity. Ten pats were used in a cross over where five pats incubated at low humidity for 7 weeks were removed, water added and then incubated at a high humidity for 1 week. Another five pats were incubated at a high humidity for 7 weeks, aerated and incubated at a low humidity for 1 week. There was no apparent growth of fungus in faecal pats incubated at a high humidity and less than 20% of larvae were recovered. The growth of D. flagrans was observed in faecal pats incubated at a low humidity, but a corresponding reduction in the percentage recovery of larvae did not occur, except in week 4. No statistical difference between fungal and control pats was seen in the change over pats. Nematophagous activity was assessed throughout the study and observed in the first 4 weeks within the pats containing fungus.     

Targeted protection and restoration to conserve tropical biodiversity in a warming world

Complex landscapes interact with meteorological processes to generate climatically suitable habitat (refuges) in otherwise hostile environments. Locating these refuges has practical importance in tropical montane regions where a high diversity of climatically specialized species is threatened by climate change. Here, we use a combination of weather data and spatial modeling to quantify thermally buffered environments in a regional tropical rainforest. We do this by constructing a spatial surface of maximum air temperature that takes into account important climate‐mediating processes. We find a strong attenuating effect of elevation, distance from coast and foliage cover on maximum temperature. The core habitat of a disproportionately high number of endemic species (45%) is encompassed within just 25% of the coolest identified rainforest. We demonstrate how this data can be used to (i) identify important areas of cool habitat for protection and (ii) efficiently guide restoration in degraded landscapes to expand extant networks of critical cool habitat.     

Cold spots in neonatal incubators are hot spots for microbial contamination

Thermal stability is essential for the survival and well-being of preterm neonates. This is achieved in neonatal incubators by raising the ambient temperature and humidity to sufficiently high levels. However, potentially pathogenic microorganisms also can thrive in such warm and humid environments. We therefore investigated whether the level of microbial contamination (i.e., the bacterial load) inside neonatal incubators can be predicted on the basis of their average temperature and relative humidity settings, paying special attention to local temperature differences. Swab samples were taken from the warmest and coldest spots found within Caleo incubators, and these were plated to determine the number of microbial CFU per location. In incubators with high average temperature (≥ 34°C) and relative humidity (≥ 60%) values, the level of microbial contamination was significantly higher at cold spots than at hot spots. This relates to the fact that the local equilibrium relative humidity at cold spots is sufficiently high to sustain microbial growth. The abundance of staphylococci, which are the main causative agents of late-onset sepsis in preterm neonates, was found to be elevated significantly in cold areas. These findings can be used to improve basic incubator hygiene.     

湘南烟区生态因素与烤烟质量的综合评价

 以湘南烟区气候、土壤等生态因素和烟叶质量状况为基础数据资料,运用模糊数学隶属函数模型对该区的气候适生性、土壤适宜性和烟叶质量可用性进行了综合评价,合理地进行了该区植烟区域的划分。结果表明：1)湘南烟区的气候适生性指数（Climate feasibility index, CFI）为(79.59%±3.96%),变幅为74.71%～83.98%;该区烟叶大田生长期气温适宜,日均温≥20 ℃持续天数较长,≥10 ℃活动积温较高,昼夜温差较小,降雨充沛,相对湿度较高,日照百分率较低。2 )湘南烟区的土壤适宜性指数（Soil feasibility index, SFI）为(43.92%±15.49%),变幅为13.32%～82.82%;该区土壤具有较强的保肥能力,有机质、氮素、速效磷及多种微量元素含量丰富,但pH值中性偏碱,全磷和钾素含量难以满足烟株需求,且交换性钙镁比值不协调,有效硫含量偏高,有效硼缺乏。3)湘南烟叶外观质量指数（Appearance quality index, AQI）和感观质量指数（Sen sory quality index, SQI）分别为（86.65%±3.29%）和（63.08%±0.74%）,烟叶成熟度较好,叶片结构疏松,香气质较好,杂气和刺激性相对较小。     

促性腺激素释放激素Buserelin 稳定性的研究

目的:研究Buserelin原料药的性质在温度、湿度、光线等条件的影响下随时间变化的规律,为该原料药的生产、包装、储存、运输及有效期的制定提供依据。方法:根据中国药典2005版二部附录XIX C药物稳定性试验指导原则及化学药物稳定性研究技术指导原则进行强光照射、高温(60℃、40℃)、高湿(RH92.5%±5%、RH75%±5%)影响因素试验,加速试验(40℃±2℃、RH75%±5%;25℃±2℃、RH60%±10%);按Buserelin原料药标准规定的质量指标及相关的检验方法对产品在试验条件下的主要质量指标进行检测。结果:强光照射、高温、高湿等影响因素对Buserelin的稳定性有明显影响,故应密封、于干燥、阴凉处保存。在加速试验中,Buserelin原料药的各项质量指标发生了小的变化,但均在质量标准规定的范围内。结论:强光照射、高温、高湿等影响因素对Buserelin的稳定性有明显影响,应在阴凉干燥处避光密封保存和运输。加速试验结果证明:在此条件下,它的各项质量指标变化均在质量标准范围内,符合Buserelin原料药质量标准规定的要求;故将其保质期暂定为两年。     

High potential of symbiotic interactions between native mycorrhizal fungi and the exotic tree Eucalyptus camaldulensis for phytostabilization of metal-contaminated arid soils

Waste dumps generated by mining activities contain heavy metals that are dispersed into areas leading to significant environmental contamination. The objectives of this study were (i) to survey native plants and their associated AM fungal communities from waste soils in a Moroccan mine site and (ii) to follow Eucalyptus growth in soil collected from the waste-mine. AM spores from native plant species were collected from the mining site and the surrounding uncontaminated areas were multiplied and inoculated onto Eucalyptus camaldulensis. The results showed that (i) the native plant species recorded in the waste did not show an active metal uptake, (ii) the selected native plant species are associated with AM mycorrhizal fungi and (iii) the use of AM fungi adapted to these drastic conditions can improve the growth of the fast-growing tree, E. camaldulensis and its tolerance to high soil Cu content. In conclusion, it is suggested that in order to define efficient low-cost phytostabilization processes, the use of native resources (i.e., mixtures of native mycorrhizal fungi) in combination with fast-growing tree species such as Eucalyptus, could be used to optimize the establishment of a permanent cover plant in contaminated areas.     

Experimental epizootiology of Zoophthora anhuiensis (Entomophthorales) against Myzus persicae (Homoptera: Aphididae) with a description of a modified Gompertz model for aphid epizootics

Epizootiological features of Zoophthora anhuiensis, a fungal pathogen specific to aphids in southern China, were studied in six aptera colonies of Myzus persicae at 16 regimes of temperature (T = 10, 15, 20 and 25 degrees C) and relative humidity (H = 90%, 95%, 98% and 100% RH) with initially infected proportion (Ip) of 0.5 in experiment (Expt) 1 or at a fixed regime of 15 degrees C and 100% RH with a variable Ip of 0.17-1.00 in Expt 2. Mycosis-caused mortalities (Mp) varied with aphid densities (D) over time after colony initiation (t) were well fitted to a Gompertz growth model modified to include the variables T, H, Ip and D in the form of Mp = 91.72exp[-5.282exp[-(0.0095T + 0.0128H/T-0.5407D2/H)t]] for Expt 1 (r2 = 0.94) or Mp = 95.49exp[-4.314exp[-(0.1479Ip + 0.1636/D)t]] for Expt 2 (r2 = 0.97). These variables were effective in determining the rate of epizootic development in the M. persicae colonies. Based on the observed and fitted results, Z. anhuiensis was most adaptive to cool climate or season and epizootiologically was subject to a minimal effect of RH at an optimum of approximately 15 degrees C. However, the humidity became determinant for epizootic progress at higher temperatures. Interactive effects of the variables and application of the fitted models for predicting epizootic development in field situations are discussed.     

Atmospheric vapor pressure deficit is critical in predicting growth response of “cool-season” grass <Emphasis Type="Italic">Festuca arundinacea</Emphasis> to temperature change

There is a lack of information on plant response to multifactor environmental variability including the interactive response to temperature and atmospheric humidity. These two factors are almost always confounded because saturated vapor pressure increases exponentially with temperature, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) could have a large impact on plant growth. In this study using climate controlled mini-greenhouses, we examined the interacting influence of temperature and VPD on long-term growth of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb), a cool season grass. From past studies it was expected that growth of tall fescue would decline with warmer temperatures over the range of 18.5–27°C, but growth actually increased markedly with increasing temperature when VPD was held constant. In contrast, growth declined in experiments where tall fescue was exposed to increasing VPD and temperature was held constant at 21°C. The inhibited growth appears to be in response to a maximum transpiration rate that can be supported by the tall fescue plants. The sensitivity to VPD indicates that if VPD remains stable in future climates as it has in the past, growth of tall fescue could well be stimulated rather than decreased by global warming in temperate climate zones.     

亚热带杉木径向生长对气候因子的响应

杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)是亚热带地区主要造林树种之一,其在区域碳循环和缓解气候变化中起着重要的作用。以亚热带地区6个站点(荆关、马鬃岭、分宜、将乐、东风、高峰)杉木人工林为研究对象,建立树轮标准化年表,分析树木年轮年表与气候因子的关系,解析不同研究区杉木径向生长对气候变化的响应机制,探讨不同站点杉木对干旱事件的响应策略,为该地区杉木人工林的经营管理提供理论依据。研究结果表明,6个研究区杉木树轮宽度对气候变化的平均敏感度大于0.15,样本总体代表性大于0.85,均处于可接受水平,表明6个站点的杉木样本具有区域代表性,适用于进行气候相关分析。杉木径向生长主要与生长季的平均温度和降水量、上一年夏季的最低温度正相关,与当年夏季最高温度负相关,高峰站点的径向生长与7—10月的相对湿度显著正相关,其他地点径向生长与月相对湿度相关性较弱,分宜、东风和高峰站的径向生长与干旱指数显著正相关,其他地点的杉木树轮宽度与干旱指数相关性较弱。干旱事件对6个站点杉木生长均产生了负面影响,胸高断面积增长(Basal area increment, BAI)呈先上升后下降的趋势,在生长后...     

Caspofungin reduces the incidence of fungal contamination in cell culture

Fungal contamination is a major problem in cell culture, and the antifungal compounds currently in use can affect cultured cells. Echinocandins are antifungal drugs that inhibit fungal cell wall synthesis by targeting an enzyme that has no counterpart in mammalian cells. We evaluated whether the echinocandin caspofungin affected the growth or morphology of six murine cell lines (a macrophage-like cell line (J774.16) and five hybridoma lines), or primary human endothelial cells. The antifungal did not influence cellular characteristics at concentrations less than 512 μg/ml, while effectively reducing the incidence of fungal contamination. Also, caspofungin did not affect the production of antibody by hybridoma cells, or alter the cytokine production of J774.16 cells, although modest increases in IL-4 and IFN-γ occurred upon LPS stimulation. Hence, echinocandins appear to be relatively non-toxic, and protect against fungal contamination in cell culture.     

Influence of urban climate upon distribution of airborne Deuteromycete spore concentrations in Mexico City

 The effect of an urban climate upon the spatial and temporal distribution of Deuteromycete spores was studied during 1991 using Burkard volumetric spore traps in two areas of Mexico City with different degrees of urbanization. Deuteromycete conidia formed the largest component of the total airborne fungal spore load in the atmosphere of Mexico City, contributing 52% of the spores trapped in an urban-residential area (southern area) and 65% of those in an urban-commercial area (central area). Among the most common spore types, Cladosporium and Alternaria showed a marked seasonal periodicity with significant differences in concentration (P<0.05) between the dry and wet seasons. Maximum conidial concentrations were found during the end of the wet season and the beginning of the cool, dry season (October–December). Daily mean concentrations of the predominant airborne spore types did not differ significantly between the southern and central areas. Daily mean spore concentrations were significantly correlated (P<0.05) in southern and central areas with maximum temperature (south, r = –0.35; central, r = –0.40) and relative humidity (south, r = 0.43; central, r = 0.29) from the previous day. Moreover, multiple regression analysis of spore concentrations with several meteorological factors showed significant interactions between fungal spores, relative humidity and maximum temperature in both areas. The diurnal periodicity of Cladosporium conidia characteristically showed two or three peaks in concentration during the day at 0200–0400, ∼ 1400 and 2000–2200 hours, while that of Alternaria showed only one peak (1200 to 2000 hours) in both areas. Maximum concentrations of these spores generally occurred 2–4 h earlier in the southern than in the central area. The lag in reaching maximum concentrations in the central area probably resulted from differences in the local conditions between the study areas, and from spores transported aerially into the city from distant sources. The analysis of maximum hourly concentrations of Cladosporium and Alternaria spores during 1 month of the dry season (February), and another month of the wet season (September) showed significant differences between the two study areas. Environmental factors and sources (green areas) affected diurnal changes in conidial concentration in the southern area (urbanization index, UI, 0.25), but not in the central area (UI 0.97). In general, spore concentrations were greatest in the southern area when relative humidities were low, and temperatures and wind velocities were high. It was difficult to establish effects of climatic factors on the spore concentration in the city centre. This probably results from the large amounts of air pollution, the heat island phenomenon, and from the distant origin of trapped conidia obviating aerial transport. Nevertheless, the seasonal and diurnal distributions of conidia found were similar to those reported for other tropical regions of the world. Received: 13 August 1996 / Accepted: 4 December 1996     

Mycotoxins in food systems in Sub Saharan Africa: A review

Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites of fungi are now recognised as major cause of food intoxications in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). Aflatoxins, the most important of the group have been implicated in acute aflatoxicoses, carcinogenicity, growth retardation, neonatal jaundice and immunological suppression in SSA. The hot and humid tropical climate provides ideal condition for growth of toxigenicAspergillus spp, making food contamination to be widespread in SSA, with maize and groundnuts being the most contaminated. The available data suggests that cassava products (the most important African food) are not prone to aflatoxin contamination. Recent data on ochratoxin A produced by species ofAspergillus on grains have indicated the necessity for it to be monitored in SSA. Fumonisins represent the most importantFusarium mycotoxins in SSA, and surveillance data indicate very high contamination rates of almost 100% in maize samples from West Africa. Limited information exists on the occurrence of trichothecenes, while the data currently available suggest that zearalenone contamination seems not to be a problem in SSA. The strategies under investigation to mitigate the mycotoxin problem in SSA include education of the people on the danger of consuming mouldy foods, pre and post harvest management strategies with emphasis on biological control, use of plant products to arrest fungal growth during storage, enterosorbent clay technology, and the search for traditional techniques that could reduce/detoxify mycotoxins during food processing.