What Are Aflatoxins ?

Summary

Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain fungi, mainly found on crops like maize and peanuts, particularly in warm and humid climates. Exposure occurs through contaminated foods or occupational handling, leading to severe health risks including liver cancer and developmental impairments. Acute exposure can result in immediate health crises, while chronic ingestion poses long-term dangers. To prevent contamination, it's essential to maintain low moisture levels in stored grains and consider dietary choices, such as incorporating vegetables like carrots and celery, which may mitigate the carcinogenic effects of aflatoxins.

Takeaways

• 🍽️ Aflatoxins are toxins produced by certain fungi found on agricultural crops like maize, peanuts, and tree nuts.
• 🌱 The main fungi that produce aflatoxins are Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, prevalent in warm and humid regions.
• 📦 Aflatoxin contamination can occur in the field, during harvest, and storage of crops.
• 🌾 Common foods contaminated with aflatoxins include cassava, corn, peanuts, rice, and various spices.
• 🐄 People can be exposed to aflatoxins by consuming contaminated plant products or animal products from affected livestock.
• 💨 Agricultural workers may inhale dust from contaminated crops and feeds, leading to exposure.
• ⚠️ High exposure to aflatoxins over a short time can result in severe health issues, including liver damage and even death.
• ⏳ Long-term exposure to low levels of aflatoxins can lead to growth impairment and increased risk of liver cancer due to DNA mutations.
• 🎗️ Aflatoxin exposure is strongly associated with an elevated risk of liver cancer.
• 🛡️ Preventing aflatoxin exposure involves maintaining proper storage conditions and keeping moisture in stored grain below 12-13%.
• 🥕 Consuming vegetables like carrots and celery may help reduce the carcinogenic effects of aflatoxins.

Q & A

What are aflatoxins and what produces them?

Aflatoxins are a family of toxins produced by certain fungi, particularly *Aspergillus flavus* and *Aspergillus parasiticus*, which thrive in warm and humid regions.

Which agricultural crops are commonly contaminated with aflatoxins?

Common crops contaminated with aflatoxins include maize, peanuts, cottonseed, tree nuts, cassava, chillies, millet, rice, sorghum, sunflower seeds, and wheat.

How can people be exposed to aflatoxins?

People can be exposed to aflatoxins by consuming contaminated plant products, such as peanuts, or animal products from animals that ate contaminated feed. Agricultural workers may also inhale dust from handling contaminated crops.

What are the short-term effects of high exposure to aflatoxins?

Short-term exposure to high levels of aflatoxins can lead to liver damage, liver cancer, abdominal pain, vomiting, convulsions, pulmonary edema, and even death.

What are the long-term effects of low-level exposure to aflatoxins?

Long-term exposure to small amounts of aflatoxins can cause growth and development impairment and increase the risk of liver cancer due to DNA mutations.

What type of cancer is most associated with aflatoxin exposure?

Aflatoxin exposure is most closely associated with an increased risk of liver cancer.

How can aflatoxin contamination be prevented during storage?

Preventing aflatoxin contamination involves maintaining proper storage conditions and keeping moisture in stored grains below 12 to 13 percent.

Are there any foods that can mitigate the effects of aflatoxins?

Eating vegetables like carrots and celery is believed to reduce the carcinogenic effects of aflatoxins.

What are the two main ways individuals can suffer from aflatoxin poisoning?

Individuals can suffer aflatoxin poisoning either through a high intake of aflatoxins in a short time or by consuming small amounts over a long period.

What are some symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning?

Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning can include liver damage, abdominal pain, vomiting, convulsions, and in severe cases, coma and death.