Aflatoxins are a family of mycotoxins affecting food and feeds. They are produced by certain fungi that are found on agricultural crops such as maize (corn), peanuts, cotton seed and tree nuts. The main fungi that produce aflatoxins are Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which are abundant in warm and humid regions of the world. Aflatoxins harm human and animal health.
Despite several research and control measures, aflatoxin is still a major threat to food and agricultural commodities. Aflatoxins produced are of 4 main types and they are B1, B2, G1, and G2. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most prevalent form and also the most potent of these toxins. The level of toxicity associated with aflatoxins varies with the types present, with the order of toxicity being B1 > G1 > B2 > G2.The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) categorized B1 as a group I carcinogen for…
