Aflatoxins and aflatoxigenic fungi in Iran: A systematic review of the past, present, and future

Aflatoxins are highly toxic compounds that are produced as secondary metabolites by some Aspergillus and Emericella species. Despite huge progress on aflatoxin research during the past 50 years, we have witnessed many cases of food contamination with aflatoxins all over the world. Aflatoxins have mutagenic and carcinogenic effects and they are capable of inducing hepatocellular carcinoma in human and animals. A wide array of substrates including nuts, oilseeds, cereals and dried fruits are susceptible to aflatoxin contamination which is a challenge for public health, especially in developing countries. Improper storage of food and feed provides conditions for aflatoxin production in crops, especially rice, wheat, pistachio, walnuts, and almonds which are the main sources of nutrients in the human food chain. Aflatoxins can be found in animal tissues and milk after ingestion of contaminated feed. Among nuts, pistachio is one of the most important exporting products of Iran which its contamination with aflatoxins is frequently reported. In general, despite frequent reports of aflatoxin-producing fungi and aflatoxin contamination of food and feed in Iran, limited data exist about human and animal exposure to aflatoxins and related consequences. This review highlights current status and future prospects of aflatoxin occurrence in food, feed and agricultural commodities in Iran, adverse effects on public health, advanced assay procedures and current control measures of aflatoxin contamination.