AFLATOXINS Meaning and
Definition
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Aflatoxins are a class of naturally occurring mycotoxins, which are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain types of moulds known as Aspergillus species, particularly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These moulds can contaminate various food crops such as peanuts, corn, rice, and tree nuts, as well as spices, beans, figs, and other agricultural commodities, both during growth and storage.
Aflatoxins are highly carcinogenic and pose a serious threat to human and animal health. They are regarded as one of the most potent naturally occurring carcinogens, and long-term exposure to aflatoxins has been associated with an increased risk of liver cancer, particularly in areas with high levels of aflatoxin contamination.
In addition to their carcinogenic properties, aflatoxins also have detrimental effects on the immune system, liver functions, and may lead to acute toxic effects in high doses. They are heat-stable, which means they are resistant to degradation during cooking or processing, making them difficult to eliminate from contaminated food and feed.
The presence and levels of aflatoxins in food and feed are regulated by various governmental and international organizations due to the significant health risks associated with their consumption. Strict control measures and monitoring programs are implemented to prevent aflatoxin contamination, including good agricultural and storage practices, crop rotation, proper drying, and storage conditions, as well as regular testing to ensure aflatoxin levels are within acceptable limits.
Common Misspellings for AFLATOXINS
- aflatoxin
- zflatoxins
- sflatoxins
- wflatoxins
- qflatoxins
- adlatoxins
- aclatoxins
- avlatoxins
- aglatoxins
- atlatoxins
- arlatoxins
- afkatoxins
- afpatoxins
- afoatoxins
- aflztoxins
- aflstoxins
- aflwtoxins
- aflqtoxins
- aflaroxins
- aflafoxins
Etymology of AFLATOXINS
The word "aflatoxins" is derived from the term "Aflatox", which was coined by researchers in the 1960s. Aflatoxins are a group of naturally occurring mycotoxins produced by certain fungi, primarily Aspergillus species, under certain conditions. The term "aflatoxins" was derived by combining "afla" with "toxin". The "afla" part comes from the initials "AF" (Aspergillus flavus), referencing the specific fungal species that produces aflatoxins. The "toxin" part refers to the harmful and toxic nature of these compounds.
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