Determination of Aflatoxin
Determination of Aflatoxin
Aflatoxins are mycotoxins produced by fungi species in food and feed, which adversely affect human and animal health through consumed food and feed. Aflatoxins are one of the many mycotoxins known today, such as ummonisins, ochratoxins, zearalenones and trichothecenes. Aflatoxins are produced by Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius.
There are four (4) types of aflatoxins, namely B1, B2, G1, G2. Apart from the 4 types we have mentioned, there is Aflatoxin M1, also known as milk toxin, which is mostly found in milk and dairy products. Aflatoxin B1 is taken into the animal body by animals with feed and causes the formation of Aflatoxin M1 by metabolizing. The order of toxicity of all varieties is B1>M1>G1>B2>G2.
Aflatoxins, like all mycotoxin types, can be contaminated at harvest time and during storage. They can cause health problems due to their high toxicity. Generally, it can be detected in many foods such as dried fruits, corn, wheat, barley, rice, hazelnut, peanut / peanut, milk and cheese, and "Aflatoxin Determination" is performed in these foods.