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

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which leads to the loss of liver function. cirrhosis is
most commonly caused by alcoholism, hepatitis B
and c, and fatty liver disease, but it has many other
possible causes. Scar tissue replaces healthy liver
tissue—partially blocking the flow of blood through
the liver—and impairs the liver’s ability to control
infections; remove bacteria and toxins from the blood;
process nutrients, hormones, and drugs; make proteins
that regulate blood clotting; and produce bile to help
absorb fats—including cholesterol—and fat-soluble
vitamins.
fumonisin A mycotoxin derived by the Fusarium verticillioides and
Fusarium moniliforme. it occurs as fumonisin B 1 and
fumonisin B 2 . fumonisin B 1 occurs mainly in maize
(corn), wheat and other cereals. human exposure is
greatest in regions where maize products are the dietary
staple. fumonisin B 1 causes increased apoptosis in the
liver or kidney of fumonisin-treated animals followed
by regenerative cell proliferation. While the acute
toxicity of fumonisin is low, it is the known cause of
two diseases which occur in domestic animals with
rapid onset: equine leukoencephalomalacia and
porcine pulmonary oedema syndrome. fumonisin
B 2 is more toxic than fumonisin B 1 and frequently
contaminates maize and other crops.
Mycotoxin it is a toxic secondary metabolite produced by
organisms of the fungus kingdom, commonly known
as molds. the term “mycotoxin” is usually reserved
for the toxic chemical products produced by fungi
that readily colonize crops. one mold species may
produce many different mycotoxins and/or the same
mycotoxin as another species. the six major groups
of mycotoxins include aflatoxins, pautilins, fusariums,
ochratoxins, citrinins, and ergot alkaloids.
toxigenic Something that produces poison or toxin; conversely,
non-toxigenic is something that is not able to produce
poison.