Aflatoxins: A silent threat in developing countries

Abstract

Several mycotoxins are known to contaminate crop produce and processed forms but aflatoxins are the most common. They are mainly produced by fungi belonging to the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium. Cereals and their products which constitute the staples in most developing countries are particularly vulnerable to attack by aflatoxigenic fungi. Despite the potential health risk posed to animals and humans, many people in developing countries are oblivious of the ability of aflatoxins to cause cancer and other debilitating diseases. This review therefore examines the various types of aflatoxigenic fungi and toxins, their occurrence in foodstuffs, their harmful effects, economic losses caused, regulation including the tolerable limits set by various national and international agencies and how their effects can be minimized or eliminated. Since developing countries are less resourced, there is the need for their developed counterparts and international agencies to offer them financial and technical support, to enable them to embark on education, research and other activities and ultimately minimize contamination in their products.

Nuts and Nut Products in Human Health and Nutrition

“…Hazenut shell extract contains phenolic compounds, including neolignans, and a diarylheptanoid which has strong antioxidant properties. It is a potent anticancer agent and showed an inhibitory effect on the growth of human cancer cell lines A375, SK-Mel-28 and HeLa [165]. Macadamia nut is a good source of tocopherols, tocotrienols, and squalene which can confer antioxidant and anticancer properties to consumers.…”

“…Total aflatoxin for peanuts needing further processing which was previously set at 10 μg/kg was changed to 15 μg/kg and 4 μg/kg for nuts intended for human consumption. Aflatoxin B1 was set at 8 μg/kg and 2 μg/kg for nuts that required further processing and direct human consumption respectively [165]. Not all countries adopted the harmonised standards, for examples in Asia, China and the Philippines limit of aflatoxins set by these countries were 20 μg/kg while Indonesia set 15 μg/kg for aflatoxin B1 [166].…”

Risk assessments for the dietary intake aflatoxins in food: A systematic review (2016–2022)

“…Human exposure to AFs via contaminated food and feed crops can result in a wide range of adverse health effects like genotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity and carcinogenicity (Kabak, 2021). Aflatoxicosis is a severe health syndrome associated with direct ingestion of AFs (Sowley, 2016) and can be classified as acute and chronic aflatoxicosis, depending upon the level and duration of exposure (Ismail et al, 2019). Acute toxicity is a major concern in developing countries with around 40 million citizens of these countries exposed to AFs, creating a huge public health burden for large parts of the population (Sowley, 2016).…”

“…Aflatoxicosis is a severe health syndrome associated with direct ingestion of AFs (Sowley, 2016) and can be classified as acute and chronic aflatoxicosis, depending upon the level and duration of exposure (Ismail et al, 2019). Acute toxicity is a major concern in developing countries with around 40 million citizens of these countries exposed to AFs, creating a huge public health burden for large parts of the population (Sowley, 2016). It is generally characterised by nausea, ataxia, loss of appetite, lethargy, liver inflammation, abdominal pain, jaundice, edema, coma, haemorrhage and even death (Ismail et al, 2019;Saha Turna & Wu, 2019).…”

Aflatoxin Concentrations in Various Rice Varieties of Punjab, Pakistan

“…flavus; rarely by Emericella venezuelensis, Emericella astellata, Aspergillus tamarii, Aspergillus pseudotamari, Aspergillus ochraceoroseus and Aspergillus bombycis) 5,7 . When animals consume aflatoxin-contaminated feed, then their meat, eggs, and milk are also contaminated 8,9 .…”