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Aflatoxin
Aflatoxin Full Name
Aflatoxin
Aflatoxin Introduction
Aflatoxins are a group of highly toxic and carcinogenic compounds produced by certain molds, most notably Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These molds can contaminate a wide range of agricultural crops, including cereals (such as maize and rice), oilseeds (such as peanuts and cottonseeds), spices, and tree nuts. The primary route of human exposure to aflatoxins is through the consumption of contaminated food products. Aflatoxin-contaminated crops can enter the food supply chain during cultivation, harvesting, transportation, and storage. Aflatoxins are highly stable compounds and can persist in food even after processing, such as roasting or cooking. Consequently, aflatoxin contamination poses a significant risk to human health, particularly in regions where contaminated food is a dietary staple.
Figure 1. Overview of aflatoxin effects on humans.
(Source: Kumar, P. et al., 2017)
Aflatoxins have been classified as Group 1 human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). As highly toxic compounds, aflatoxins can cause acute and chronic health effects. While adult humans have a high tolerance for aflatoxin exposure and rarely experience severe symptoms, children are more vulnerable and can suffer from stunted growth and delayed development. Acute exposure to high levels of aflatoxin can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, or liver cancer, resulting in symptoms such as bleeding, edema, digestive issues, and mental changes. Chronic exposure increases the risk of liver and gallbladder cancer, as aflatoxin metabolites can cause mutations in genes responsible for cell cycle regulation and DNA repair. Aflatoxin exposure can also lead to immune suppression and increased viral load in individuals with HIV.
The liver is the main target organ for aflatoxicosis, and factors such as limited food availability, favorable conditions for mold growth on food, and the absence of effective monitoring and control systems contribute to the likelihood of aflatoxin-related diseases. While there is no specific antidote for aflatoxicosis, supportive care, including intravenous fluids, vitamins, and a restricted but high-quality protein diet, can be provided to manage the symptoms. Including certain vegetables in the diet, such as carrots, parsnips, celery, and parsley, may help reduce the carcinogenic effects of aflatoxin.
Alternate Names for Aflatoxin
AFB1; AFB1-AR1; Aldoketoreductase 7; Aflatoxin;AFB;AFB2;Aflatoxin B1;Aflatoxin B2;AFM;AFM1;AFM2;Aflatoxin M1;Aflatoxin M2;AFG;AFG1;AFG2;Aflatoxin G1;Aflatoxin G2
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