Practices of maize handling and nixtamalization to reduce fungal toxin exposure in rural Guatemala.

ABSTRACT: Fungal toxins in local food supplies are a critical environmental health risk to communities globally. To better characterize hypothesized toxin control points among households, we conducted household surveys across four departments (first administrative division) in Guatemala. Data gathered included maize harvesting, processing, storage, and traditional nixtamalization practices. In total, n = 33 households participated in the survey and were from 4 unique departments, 17 unique municipalities, and represented 4 different languages. The results suggested that the majority of households consumed a combination of personally cultivated and purchased maize. There was significant variation in how this maize was stored, in regards to pre-processing (kernel vs whole cob), as well as storage syst

SUBMITTER: Montenegro-Benthancourt G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11722548 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature