Aflatoxin: A Synthesis of the Research in Health, Agriculture and Trade

GloSSARy
Aflatoxicosis the poisoning that results from ingestion of aflatoxins
in contaminated foods or feed. onset may be acute—
due to a single, or a few moderate to high doses of
aflatoxin—or chronic—due to the long-term exposure
to aflatoxin-contaminated foods or feed. Symptoms
of acute aflatoxicosis may include abdominal pain,
vomiting, enlarged liver and/or liver damage, fever,
hemorrhage, difficulty breathing, poor digestion, or
convulsions. chronic aflatoxicosis may result in liver
damage, cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, and/
or growth and developmental delays in exposed
children.
Aflatoxin Aflatoxins are highly carcinogenic toxins produced by
the fungus Aspergillus flavus that are commonly found
in soils and infect grains, nuts, seeds and legumes.
Aflatoxins have a negative impact on health and have
been associated with liver cancer, growth retardation
and stunting in children, suppression of the immune
system, liver cancer—and more recently, linked with
hiV and tuberculosis.
Ammoniation Ammonia is diluted, applied to crops in a water vapor,
and allowed to permeate the feed. the ammonia
destroys fungus or mold growth and has a cleansing
effect on treated feed. Ammoniated feed is safe for
animal consumption and can make feed more efficient
when used in the short-term.
Biocontrol A method of inhibiting pests by disrupting their
ecological status in the local environment through the
introduction of natural organisms such as parasites
or pathogens. An example of this is the introduction
of a non-toxigenic strain of A. flavus to displace the
toxigenic strain.
carcinogen Any substance that is an agent directly involved
in causing cancer due to its ability to damage or
disrupt the cellular metabolic processes. carcinogens
may increase the risk of cancer by altering cellular
metabolism or damaging DnA directly in cells, which
interferes with biological processes. the cell alteration
induces uncontrolled, malignant division, ultimately
leading to the formation of tumors, and the DnA
damage leads to the cell becoming a cancer cell.
cirrhosis A condition in which the liver slowly deteriorates and
malfunctions due to years of chronic injury. it is a
consequence of chronic liver disease characterized
by replacement of liver tissue by fibrosis, scar tissue,
and regenerative nodules (lumps that occur as a result
of a process in which damaged tissue is regenerated),
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