Integrated Management of Aflatoxin Contamination: Progress towards Enhancing Food and Feed Quality and Human and Animal Health

Aflatoxins are the secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus in several crops and commodities. They are carcinogenic, teratogenic and immunosuppressants that are implicated in growth retardation in children, immune-suppression, interference in micronutrient metabolism, liver cirrhosis, liver and esophageal cancers and decreased human and animal productivity1,2 (Figure 1). Acute severe intoxication of aflatoxin can result in death3. Research in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has shown that aflatoxin contamination is widespread in staple crops like groundnut, maize, millet, chillies, sorghum, etc., and even in milk from animals fed with contaminated feed2. In the developed countries, aflatoxins are regulated through good production and post-harvest practices and stringent food safety monitoring. However, application of such strategies in the developing countries are difficult due to differences in production practices, food insufficiency, lack of resources and technology for monitoring and..............