Aflatoxins in Humans and animals

Introduction: The toxic material derived from the Aspergillus.flavus was given the name Aflatoxin. The major memeber are B1, B2, G1, G2. In some dairy cattle species B1 and B2 are partially metabolized into M1 and M2.

 Intially aflatoxin was detected in the peanut meal. Because of the large varieties of fungi producing aflatoxin in food commodities, WHO permitted the presence of 20ppb of aflatoxin in food materials.

Aflatoxin are harmful for human and animal liver tissues. Aflatoxin B1 is most common, most toxic and carcinogenic.

Occurence of Aflatoxin: Aflatoxin found in soil, plants, animals, all kinds os nuts especially peanuts and walnuts. Milk, cheese , eggs, meat products are also sometimes contaminated because of the consumption of contaminated feed by animals.

 

Favourable conditions for aflatoxin biosynthesis: Temprature and moisture are two important factors for the yield of Aflatoxin. The favourable temperature range is 12-41 centigrate with humidity greater than 62% and moisture above 14%.

Crops grown under warm and moist conditions are more prone to aflatoxin production.

Molecular formula: B1: C16H12O6,  B2: C17H14O6, G1: C17H14O6, G2: C17H14O7

Aflatoxin and animal disease: Aflatoxin poisoning(Aflatoxicosis) mainly on animal liver cause liver injury. Aflatoxin can cause liver dysfunction, reduced milk production and egg production and to reduced immunity to animals.

Aflatoxin M1 is believed to be associated with milk protein Casein. Cream and butter contain lower concentration of M1 than milk itself  while cheese contain higher concentration of M1 about 3-5 times than the original milk.

AFLATOXIN IN CORN

                                                    AFLATOXIN IN PEANUT