Bruchids Uganda Project 2013 – 2019

African grain legumes such as cowpea, chickpea, and pigeon pea, are vulnerable to high levels of storage loss from a group of beetles known as bruchids. The metabolic activity of bruchids can also favor the growth of mycotoxin producing fungi in the product.

Significant amounts of aflatoxin B1 and B2 ranging from 0.23 – 329.2 ppb were detected in dried common beans in the project area. The amounts considered safe for human consumption are 2-15 ppb.