Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites that commonly contaminate food crops such as maize. Conducive climatic conditions together with improper crop value chain practices are favorable for mycotoxin contamination. Previous studies in Ethiopia have indicated that mycotoxin contamination in maize is prevalent. For the implementation of proper mycotoxin prevention and control strategies, identifying the current local value chain practices that are related to mycotoxin contamination is needed. This review investigates current preharvest and postharvest management practices of maize cultivation in Ethiopia in relation to mycotoxin contamination and identifies gaps in knowledge and priority areas for future research. Findings indicate that the majority of applied preharvest and postharvest practices of maize in Ethiopia seem to favor mycotoxin contamination. Recent developments in grain drying and storage technologies, which are also potential mycotoxin management strategies, are facing constraints for proper implementation in subsistence farmers’ level.

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain species of fungi. These fungi can infect food crops at any stage of the crop value chain, resulting in the production of mycotoxins that are toxic to humans and animals. Sorghum is one of the important food crops in Ethiopia, where the occurrence of mycotoxins in this grain has been frequently reported. However, information on the relationships between the specific local sorghum production practices and mycotoxin contamination is rarely available. In this study, the occurrence of multiple mycotoxins in the newly harvested sorghum samples was determined, as well as preharvest management practices as contamination factors. In 2022, 120 farmers in Northwest Ethiopia were interviewed about preharvest practices of sorghum fields, and 120 sorghum samples were collected right after harvest. Samples were analysed using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for a total of 33 different mycotoxins. About 75% of the samples were contaminated with at least one specific mycotoxin. The detected mycotoxins belong to one of the four mycotoxin categories, produced by Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp. and Alternaria spp. The concentrations of regulated mycotoxins were below the EU regulatory limits except for ochratoxin A, which was found in a concentration above the EU regulatory limit for unprocessed cereal grain in four percent of the samples. Several of the investigated preharvest practices showed a significant relationship ( ) with either one or more specific mycotoxins and/or with one of the mycotoxin categories. Among these practices, the sowing method and type of fertiliser were the most positively related to multiple mycotoxin contamination. In addition, crop rotation and seed treatment practice before sowing contributed to the low mycotoxin presence. The practices of crop rotation, seed treatment, sowing, and fertiliser application can be further researched to develop a sustainable mycotoxin prevention strategy.