Aflatoxin and You

Aspergillus flavus is a wide spread saprotroph (an organism that obtains its nutrients from non-living organic matter, usually dead and decaying plant or animal matter, by absorbing soluble organic compounds). It is typically found in soil, seeds, fruits and decaying vegetation. Under favorable conditions, it can produce a toxin known as aflatoxin.

Why talk about it? Aflatoxin can cause acute necrosis, cirrhosis, and carcinoma of the liver in a number of animal species.

Aflatoxicosis (poisoning that results from ingestion of aflatoxins) in humans has rarely been reported; outbreaks occurred in India in 1974 and Keyna in 1982. It is difficult to recognize, so cases are not always readily diagnosed.

This week, a look at aflatoxin.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "So divinely is the world organized that every one of us, in our place and time, is in balance with everything else." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German dramatist, novelist, poet, & scientist, 1749 - 1832)

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