Abstract
Good practice in post-harvest operations depends on the contamination of groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea) by mycotoxins. The objective of this study is to identify farmers’ practices that pose a risk to the post-harvest preservation of the fruits of Arachis hypogaea in the province of Mayo Kebbi Ouest. Data collection was carried out using a farmer survey sheet based on a questionnaire on drying and storage techniques and losses related to groundnut harvesting. The study revealed that the fruits of Arachis hypogaea are dried on the fields and stored in shells or pods in polyethylene bags. The latter can be kept for up to 6 months in the shop (44%), in the attic (25.3%), in living quarters (18.7%) and both in the attic and in houses (12%). The level of post-harvest losses is due on the one hand to post-harvest diseases (60%) and the presence of insects on the crops (32%) and on the other hand to the germination of seeds (8%) after the harvest due to heavy rains. This loss on a scale of 2% to 10% is 74.7% and 10% to 50% is 25.3%. Drying and storage techniques in these localities represent a risk of mycotoxin contamination of groundnuts. Raising farmers’ awareness of harvest management techniques to preserve the sanitary quality of groundnuts would be important.
Highlights
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the main oil crops in Chad and an important source of oil and protein for her population
Data collection was carried out using a farmer survey sheet based on a questionnaire on drying and storage techniques and losses related to groundnut harvesting
Post-harvest operations at risk of contamination by saprotrophic fungi in the groundnut sector of West Mayo Kebbi in Chad are linked to the harvest period, the drying conditions and storage
Summary
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the main oil crops in Chad and an important source of oil and protein for her population. Its regular consumption prevents cardiovascular and diabetic problems [4], it helps to reduce severe malnutrition in children [5]. Groundnuts, because of their high adaptive capacity in different agro-ecological zones, would be vulnerable to contamination by mycotoxins produced by saprotrophic fungi. Storing peanuts on a device that allows air to circulate through is likely to reduce the growth of fungi and the production of aflatoxins [9].
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