Sunday, January 22, 2017

Aflatoxin in food

Aflatoxin are naturally occurring toxic byproducts from the growth of Aspergillus flavus fungi that grow on grains and groundnuts such as corn, wheat, barley, oats, rice and peanuts.

Aflatoxins are more common in poor-quality cereals and nuts; whole most of these low-grade products do not enter the human food market, they are sold as animal feed, which can go on to contaminated animal products.

The toxins are most likely to develop if tropical conditions, like high temperatures, high humidity and rains, occur during harvest.

Aflatoxin-producing mold can even grow on plants damaged by insects or drought, poor nutrition or unreasonable temperature.

Aflatoxin has been called the most potent natural carcinogen known to humans; poor diet also seems to predispose animals to cancer in the wake of aflatoxin ingestion.

Good agricultural practices involves good farm management, including weed control, optimal row and plant spacing, insect control, adequate water supplier, rapid and complete drying, removal of defects and effective control of storage conditions, has been the standards method in developing countries for attempting to control aflatoxins levels in commodities.
Aflatoxin in food

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