ABSTRACT
Toxigenic strains of the fungi Aspergillus flavus Link ex Fries and Aspergillus parasiticus Speare produce secondary toxic metabolites called aflatoxins (Detroy et al., 1971). These toxins, particularly aflatoxin B1, have the distinction of being the most carcinogenic of all natural products (Groopman et al., 1981). Much research effort has been focused on aflatoxins since elevated levels of the toxins are found in pre- and postharvest crops. In the United States a guideline of 20 ppb is the minimum aflatoxin allowed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for interstate shipment of foods and feeds.
