Producers and Consumers of food-stuffs and feeds have been warned to beware of the presence of Mycotoxins because of their chronic effects on the health of man and animals.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of a Training Workshop on Mycotoxins, organized by the University’s Biotechnology Centre, Experts described Mycotoxins as toxic metabolites that are injurious to health.
In his Opening Remark at the Training held at Biotechnology Centre, the University’s Director of Biotechnology Centre, Professor Akinola Popoola said mycotoxins threaten the safety of food because they have toxic metabolities that are produced by moulds and they are harmful to man and animals.
Professor Popoola enjoined the participants to give the Lecture (which is be delivered by experts in the area of food technology) their optimum focus because it will be a theoretical and practical guide on one of the methods for detecting and quantifying mycotoxins in foodstuffs.
Speaking earlier at the Opening Ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kolawole Salako, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Morenike Dipeolu said that the Vice-Chancellor is passionate about the positive impact of the Training.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, Mycotoxins’ contamination occur world-wide and represents the most challenging food safety threat.
“They affect Agricultural Economies of many countries, affect human health, reduce production of animals and animal products and also prevent trade,” She added.
The Training, according to Professor Dipeolu, is aimed at teaching participants the fundamentals of the most important analytical method for Mycotoxins in food and feed.
She urged the participants to pay close attention to the Lectures that will be delivered by the Resource Persons and follow with keen interest, every practical demonstration.
The Resource Persons include Professor Patrick Njobeh, a Professor from the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, Professor Gabriel Adegoke from the Department of Food Technology, University of Ibadan and Dr. Adewale Obadina, the immediate past Director of the Biotechnology Centre, FUNAAB
The Workshop is a 3-day hands-on-training and Lecture Workshop.
