Aflatoxins and Aflatoxicoses

Abstract Aflatoxins are a group of polyketide metabolites produced mainly by stains of the fungus Aspergillus flavus and the closely related species A. parasiticus . The most biologically active aflatoxin is B1; it is considered the most potent naturally occurring carcinogen known. Aflatoxins have been shown to produce cancer in all species tested; epidemiologic evidence suggests that they are involved in human liver cancer in some parts of the world. Therefore, many nations have set statutory limits on the concentration of aflatoxins in food and feed.