Aflatoxin toxicity in animals and its control measures

Abstract

The occurrence of aflatoxins is influenced by certain environmental factors; hence the extent of contamination will vary with geographic location, agricultural and agronomic practices, and the susceptibility of commodities to fungal invasion during pre-harvest, storage, and/or processing periods. Aflatoxins have both acute and chronic toxicity in animals, produce quite different effects: acute liver damage, liver cirrhosis, induction of tumors and teratogenic and other genetic effects. The high toxicity and carcinogenicity of these compounds and their ability to cause various pathological conditions that led to widespread screening of foods and potentially contaminated with it. There are several ways to control aflatoxin contamination but it is very difficult to reduce when it spreads. So it is better to take preventive measures to minimize the spread.