Measuring rural consumers’ willingness to pay for quality labels using experimental auctions: the case of aflatoxin‐free maize in Kenya

Aflatoxins are a common health hazard in tropical countries, especially in rural areas. New methods to reduce aflatoxin levels in food staples, as well as cheaper test methods, are being developed, but consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for these improvements is unknown. A survey was conducted with a representative sample of rural consumers (1,344 in total, 63% women) in all major maize‐production zones of Kenya. The survey included an experimental auction with maize products of different qualities. The results showed that many rural consumers were aware of aflatoxins, but few understood their health risks. Respondents were willing to pay a premium for maize tested for aflatoxins and labeled, but asked a high discount for maize that was visibly contaminated with moldy grain. The premium was higher for respondents with education and in regions with aflatoxicosis outbreaks. Knowledge of aflatoxins substantially reduced the overall WTP, but did not increase the WTP for tested maize. Welfare analysis indicates that mandatory testing would result in substantial benefits if the cost of testing can be lowered to below the premium.     

改良型与传统型免疫亲和柱净化-荧光光度法检测黄曲霉毒素的比较研究

以高效液相色谱法测定食品中黄曲霉毒素作为确证方法,采用改良型免疫亲和柱净化-荧光光度检测技术检测花生及花生制品中的黄曲霉毒素,并与传统型免疫亲和柱净化-荧光光度法进行比较。结果表明：改良型免疫亲和柱净化-荧光光度检测技术具有更好的准确性（检测两个阳性质控样品的标准偏差分别为0.15和1.28）和精密度（相对标准偏差分别为6.65%和8.97%）;在与HPLC方法进行比较时,具有良好的一致性;检测两个加标空白花生样品的回收率分别为102.20%和101.75%。另外,与传统型免疫亲和柱净化-荧光光度法比较,改良型免疫亲和柱净化-荧光光度检测技术操作更为简便,检测时间由传统的25min缩短至10min,大大提高了检测效率。     

高效液相色谱法检测人参和生姜中的黄曲霉毒素和棕曲霉毒素A

应美国食品药品管理局（USFDA）邀请,山东出入境检验检疫局技术中心生物毒素实验室参加了“高效液相色谱法检测人参和生姜中的黄曲霉毒素和棕曲霉毒素A”的AOAC国际协作研究（COACcollaborative study）。依照组织方提供的检测方法和测试程序,对30个待测样品进行了测定。结果显示,本方法检测人参和生姜中黄曲霉毒素的回收率为80％-90％,检测人参和生姜中棕曲霉毒素A的回收率为85％-95％。经使用,该方法快速、灵敏、准确、简便,满足实验室同时检测人参和生姜中黄曲霉毒素和棕曲霉毒素A的要求。