Aflatoxins - Toxicology

What are Aflatoxins?

Aflatoxins are a group of toxic compounds produced by certain molds, specifically Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These molds are commonly found in soil, decaying vegetation, hay, and grains undergoing microbial fermentation.

How Are Humans Exposed to Aflatoxins?

Humans can be exposed to aflatoxins through the consumption of contaminated foods. Common sources include corn, peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts. Aflatoxins can also enter the food supply through contaminated animal feed, leading to residues in milk, eggs, and meat.

What Are the Health Effects of Aflatoxins?

Aflatoxins are known to be potent carcinogens. They have been linked to various forms of cancer, most notably liver cancer. Other health effects include acute poisoning, which can lead to liver damage, digestive disorders, and, in extreme cases, death. Chronic exposure can result in immunosuppression and malnutrition.

How Are Aflatoxins Detected?

Detection of aflatoxins in food and feed is critical for public health. Methods for detection include chromatographic techniques such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA). These methods are sensitive and specific, allowing for the accurate measurement of aflatoxin levels.

What Are the Regulatory Limits for Aflatoxins?

Regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have established permissible limits for aflatoxins in food and feed. These limits vary by region and type of food product but are generally set to minimize the risk of exposure and associated health effects.

How Can Aflatoxin Contamination Be Prevented?

Prevention strategies include proper agricultural practices, storage conditions, and regular testing. Farmers are encouraged to use biocontrol methods and resistant crop varieties to reduce mold growth. Proper drying and storage conditions, such as maintaining low moisture levels, can also significantly reduce the risk of contamination.

Relevant Publications

Effect of radio frequency roasting on the lipid profile of peanut oil and the mechanism of lipids transformation: Revealed by untargeted lipidomics approach.

Issue Release: 2024

Frequent Dietary Multi-Mycotoxin Exposure in UK Children and Its Association with Dietary Intake.

Issue Release: 2024

Comprehensive Review of Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin A Dynamics: Emergence, Toxicological Impact, and Advanced Control Strategies.

Issue Release: 2024

Isolation of Bacillus licheniformis and its protective effect on liver oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by aflatoxin B1.

Issue Release: 2024

Exposure And Health Risk Assessment Of Aflatoxins In Hot Red Pepper Marketed In North Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

Issue Release: 2024

HacA, a key transcription factor for the unfolded protein response, is required for fungal development, aflatoxin biosynthesis and pathogenicity of Aspergillus flavus.

Issue Release: 2024

Aflatoxin biosynthesis regulators AflR and AflS: DNA binding affinity, stoichiometry, and kinetics.

Issue Release: 2024

Assessing several fungal contaminants and their associated mycotoxins in maize cultivated on cornfields of Republic of Moldova.

Issue Release: 2024

A Highly Sensitive and Group-Specific Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the Detection of AFB in Agriculture and Aquiculture Products.

Issue Release: 2024

Non-destructive SPE-UPLC-based Quantification of Aflatoxins and Stilbenoid Phytoalexins in Single Peanut (Arachis spp.) Seeds.

Issue Release: 2024

The mitigative role of novel aflatoxin-degrading enzymes in diverse broiler performance indicators and gut microbiota following the consumption of diets contaminated with aflatoxins.

Issue Release: 2024

Aspergillus flavus pangenome (AflaPan) uncovers novel aflatoxin and secondary metabolite associated gene clusters.

Issue Release: 2024

The prevalence and concentration of aflatoxins in beers: a global systematic review and meta-analysis and probabilistic health risk assessment.

Issue Release: 2024

Aflatoxins in the rice production chain: A review on prevalence, detection, and decontamination strategies.

Issue Release: 2024

Quantitative detection of aflatoxin B in peanuts using Raman spectra and multivariate analysis methods.

Issue Release: 2024

Phylogenomics analysis of velvet regulators in the fungal kingdom.

Issue Release: 2024

Antibiotic altered liver damage induced by aflatoxin B1 exposure in mice by modulating the gut microbiota.

Issue Release: 2024

Diversity of fungal community and quality evaluation of Spatholobus Suberectus Dunn during the process of mildew.

Issue Release: 2024

Aspergillus population diversity and its role in aflatoxin contamination of cashew nuts from coastal Kenya.

Issue Release: 2024

Determination of Mycotoxins in Plant-Based Meat Alternatives (PBMAs) and Ingredients after Microwave Cooking.

Issue Release: 2024

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