Chemical Detoxification of Aflatoxins in Food and Feeds

Aspergillus flavus

Link ex Fries and

Aspergillus parasiticus

Speare. Fungi producing aflatoxin can affect crops such as corn, cottonseed, and groundnuts and can infect or spread while the crops are in the field or while the products are stored. Aflatoxins, particularly aflatoxin B

, have been a focus of much attention because of their acute toxicity and carcinogenicity. Aside from their carcinogenic potential, aflatoxins cause significant economic losses to agriculture. Direct economic losses due to aflatoxins include reduced crop yields and lower quality, reduced animal performance and reproduction capabilities, and increased incidence of diseases.