Some fungi generate a highly toxic substance, aflatoxin. The effects of this substance in the body can lead to different types of cancer, especially liver cancer. There are more than 400 different types of aflatoxins, of which about 15 are especially toxic. All of them are integrated into the category of mycotoxins (mycology is the discipline that studies fungi).
Its effects on human and animal health
These mycotoxins have a potentially carcinogenic molecular structure. There are basically two fungi that activate this substance: Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Both are present in some foods , such as nuts, fruits, corn, and wheat. The toxicity of aflotoxins is activated when they are combined with the proteins of the body. To reduce the toxicity of these foods, health authorities usually impose some type of standard (for example, in some countries a maximum of 20 micrograms of aflotoxins are allowed to be present in food).
Aflatoxins are directly related to some diseases of the kidneys and the digestive system. On the other hand, they cause tumors in the liver and sometimes trigger carcinogenic processes. The main symptoms associated with these pathologies are abdominal pain, vomiting, fever and anorexia.
The feed consumed by animals can also be affected by these mycotoxins. Insect attack and food temperature conditions are the two main causes that endanger animals.
How can it be prevented?
The storage of food should be done properly (for example, it is preferable not to use barns and food are advised to keep in dry places).
Farmers should control the levels of aflatoxins in feed and when they detect their presence they have to report it to the health authorities.
It is advisable for farmers to prepare farmland using seeds that have been treated with hygiene guarantees. In the sowing process, excessive heat must be avoided, as this circumstance is potentially harmful to crops.
On the other hand, weeds must be kept under control and damage caused by insects must be minimized. Finally, it is advisable to harvest when the humidity is less than 15% and to carry out crop rotations periodically.
The storage of the feed and the transport systems must also comply with certain sanitary guarantees (for example, a periodic disinfection of the facilities and a verification of the loading systems).