Effect of Aflasafe TZ01® on Aflatoxin Reduction and Emerging Challenges with Fusarium Mycotoxins in Maize from Rural Tanzania

Aflatoxins are carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced by <i>Aspergillus</i> species and are common contaminants of many crops including maize. Atoxigenic <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> strains, formulated as biocontrol products such as Aflasafe^® TZ01, that comprises a mixture of four native atoxigenic strains, are used as pre-harvest agents to suppress toxigenic strains and reduce aflatoxin levels. This study assessed the intended and potential unintended impacts of Aflasafe^® TZ01 on mycotoxin contamination in maize. A total of 158 samples 79 from treated and 79 from untreated fields were collected from Chemba and Kiteto districts in Tanzania. Multi-mycotoxin analysis was conducted using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Detected toxins included aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2), trichothecenes, and fumonisins (FB1, FB2, FB3). Non-parametric paired t-test analysis showed significant reductions in AFB1 (62%, <i>p</i> = 0.024) in treated samples. The mean concentrations of <i>Fusarium</i> mycotoxins such as NIV, T2, and ZEN were higher in treated maize. However, statistical analysis showed that these differences were only numerical trends, and were not significant (<i>p</i> > 0.05). These findings confirm the efficacy of Aflasafe^® TZ01 in reducing aflatoxins, while underscoring the importance of continued monitoring for other mycotoxins as part of integrated mycotoxin management strategies to mitigate both aflatoxins and co-occurring toxins.