Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Aflatoxins in Plant-Based Foods

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Plant and Human Health, Volume 2

Abstract

Aflatoxins being group 1 human carcinogen according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer are considered a serious burden both for human health and postharvest economic loss. Due to the global trade of food commodities, almost the entire world is exposed toward the perils of aflatoxins. More than 120 countries have adopted strict legislations to protect their people from the hazards of aflatoxins. Plant-based foods and feed such as cereals, dry fruits, and spices are especially prone toward aflatoxin contamination and therefore are especially monitored across the globe. Extensive research has been done especially in the last decade on the strategies to reduce aflatoxin contamination in crops. It is a challenge to find safe and effective ways of aflatoxin degradation in already contaminated crops both for animal and human consumption. Joint efforts are needed involving every sector of the food chain right from production site till final consumption to curb the threat of aflatoxin risk.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ayalew A, Fehrmann H, Lepschy J, Beck R, Abate D (2006) Natural occurrence of mycotoxins in staple cereals from Ethiopia. Mycopathologia 162:57–63

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barani A, Nasiri Z, Jarrah N (2016) Natural occurrence of aflatoxins in commercial pepper in Iran. Food Agric Immunol 27:570–576

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bui-Klimke TR, Guclu H, Kensler TW, Yuan J, Wu F (2014) Aflatoxin regulations and global pistachio trade: insights from social network analysis. PLoS One 9(3):1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Y, Kong Q, Chi C, Shan S, Guan B (2015) Biotransformation of aflatoxin B1 and aflatoxin G1 in peanut meal by anaerobic solid fermentation of Streptococcus thermophilus and lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. Int J Food Microbiol 211:1–5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cho S, Lee C, Jang M, Son Y, Lee S, Choi I, Kim S, Kim D (2008) Aflatoxins contamination in spices and processed spice products commercialized in Korea. Food Chem 107:1283–1288

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chohan KA, Awan F, Ali MM, Iqbal U, Ijaz M (2016) Assessment of aflatoxin in dairy concentrate feeds, total mixed rations, silage and various feed ingredients in Pakistan. Pak J Zool 48:277–280

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Das A, Bhattacharya S, Palaniswamy M, Angayarkanni J (2014) Aflatoxin B1 degradation during co-cultivation of Aspergillus flavus and Pleurotus ostreatus strains on rice straw. 3 Biotech 5(3):279–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dashti B, Al-Hamli S, Alomirah H, Al-Zenki S, Abbas AB, Sawaya W (2009) Levels of aflatoxin M1 in milk, cheese consumed in Kuwait and occurrence of total aflatoxin in local and imported animal feed. Food Control 20:686–690

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Egmond HP, Jonker MA (2003) Worldwide regulations for mycotoxins in food and feed. FAO, Rome, Italy. ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/007/y5499e/y5499e00.pdf. Accessed 18 Feb 2017

  • El tawila MM, Neamatallah A, Serdar SA (2013) Incidence of aflatoxins in commercial nuts in the holy city of Mekkah. Food Control 29:121–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghali R, Belouaer I, Hdiri S, Ghorbel H, Maaroufi K, Hedilli A (2009) Simultaneous HPLC determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 in Tunisian sorghum and pistachios. J Food Comp Anal 22:751–755

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gizachew D, Szonyi B, Tegegne A, Hanson J, Grace D (2016) Aflatoxin contamination of milk and dairy feeds in the greater Addis Ababa milk shed, Ethiopia. Food Control 59:773–779

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gutleb AC, Caloni F, Giraud F, Cortinovis C, Pizzo F, Hoffmann L, Bohn T, Pasquali M (2015) Detection of multiple mycotoxin occurrences in soy animal feed by traditional mycological identification combined with molecular species identification. Toxicol Rep 2:275–279

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hackbart HCS, Machado AR, Christ-Ribeiro A, Prietto L, Badiale-Furlong E (2014) Reduction of aflatoxins by Rhizopus oryzae and Trichoderma reesei. Mycotoxin Res 3:141–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IARC Publications list (2012). http://www.iarc.fr/en/publications/list/. Accessed 21 Dec 2016

  • Ibáñez-Vea M, González-Peñas E, Lizarraga E, de Cerain AL (2012) Co-occurrence of aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and zearalenone in barley from a northern region of Spain. Food Chem 132:35–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ismail A, Gonçalves BL, de Neeff DV, Ponzilacqua B, Coppa CFSC, Hintzsche H, Sajid M, Cruz AG, Corassin CH, Oliveira CAF (2018) Aflatoxin in foodstuffs: occurrence and recent advances in decontamination. Food Res Int 113:74–85

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iqbal SZ, Asi MR, Hanif U, Zuber M, Jinap S (2016) The presence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in rice and rice products; and evaluation of dietary intake. Food Chem 210:135–140

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ismail A, Akhtar S, Levin RE, Ismail T, Riaz M, Amir M (2016) Aflatoxin M1: prevalence and decontamination strategies in milk and milk products. Crit Rev Microbiol 42(3):418–427

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ismail A, Levin RE, Riaz M, Akhtar S, Gong YY, de Oliveira CAF (2017) Effect of different microbial concentrations on binding of aflatoxin M1 and stability testing. Food Control 73:492–496

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ismail A, Riaz M, Levin RE, Akhtar S, Gong YY, Hameed A (2016) Seasonal prevalence level of aflatoxin M1 and its estimated daily intake in Pakistan. Food Control 60:461–465

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson LS, Al-Taher F (2008) Factors affecting mycotoxins production in fruits. In: Mycotoxins in fruits and vegetables. Academic Press Publishers, San Diego, CA, pp 75–104

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Jalili M, Jinap S (2012) Natural occurrence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in commercial dried chili. Food Control 24:160–164

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Juan C, Zinedine A, Molto´ JC, Idrissi L, Mañes J (2008) Aflatoxins levels in dried fruits and nuts from Rabat-Salé area, Morocco. Food Control 19:849–853

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kabak B (2016) Aflatoxins in hazelnuts and dried figs: occurrence and exposure assessment. Food Chem 211:8–16

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kabak B, Dobson ABW (2017) Mycotoxins in spices and herbs-an update. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 57(1):18–34

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kara GN, Ozbey F, Kabak B (2015) Co-occurrence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in cereal flours commercialised in Turkey. Food Control 54:275–281

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khayoon WS, Saad B, Yan CB, Hashim NH (2010) Determination of aflatoxins in animal feeds by HPLC with multifunctional column clean-up. Food Chem 118:882–886

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kollia E, Kanapitsas A, Markaki P (2014) Occurrence of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A in dried vine fruits from Greek market. Food Addit Contam Part B Surveill 7:11–16

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kos JJ, Å krinjar MM, Mandić AI, MiÅ¡an AC, Bursić VP, Å arić BM, Janić-Hajnal EP (2014) Presence of aflatoxins in cereals from Serbia. Food Feed Res 41(1):31–38

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lai X, Liu R, Ruan C, Zhang H, Liu C (2015) Occurrence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in rice samples from six provinces in China. Food Control 50:401–404

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee HS, Nguyen-Viet H, Lindahl J, Thanh HM, Khanh TN, Hien LTT, Grace D (2017) A survey of aflatoxin B in maize and awareness of aflatoxins in Vietnam. World Mycotoxin J 10(2):195–202

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lippolis V, Irurhe O, Porricelli ACR, Cortese M, Schena R, Imafidon T, Oluwadun A, Pascale M (2017) Natural co-occurrence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in ginger (Zingiber officinale) from Nigeria. Food Control 73:1061–1067

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luttfullah G, Hussain A (2011) Studies on contamination level of aflatoxins in some dried fruits and nuts of Pakistan. Food Control 22:426–429

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matumba L, Monjerezi M, Biswick T, Mwatseteza J, Makumba W, Kamangira D, Mtukuso A (2014) A survey of the incidence and level of aflatoxin contamination in a range of locally and imported processed foods on Malawian retail market. Food Control 39:87–91

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Milhome MAL, Lima CG, de Lima LK, Lima FAF, Sousa DOB, Nascimento RF (2014) Occurrence of aflatoxins in cashew nuts produced in northeastern Brazil. Food Control 42:34–37

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Monson MS, Coulombe RA, Reed KM (2015) Aflatoxicosis: lessons from toxicity and responses to aflatoxin B1 in poultry. Agriculture 5:742–777

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murashiki TC, Chidewe C, Benhura MA, Manema LR, Mvumi BM, Nyanga LK (2018) Effectiveness of hermetic technologies in limiting aflatoxin B and fumonisin B contamination of stored maize grain under smallholder conditions in Zimbabwe. World Mycotoxin J 11(3):459–469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ozbey F, Kabak B (2012) Natural co-occurrence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in spices. Food Control 28:354–361

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pleadin J, Vulic A, Persi N, Skrivanko M, Capek B, Cvetnic Z (2015) Annual and regional variations of aflatoxin B1 levels seen in grains and feed coming from Croatian dairy farms over a 5-year period. Food Control 47:221–225

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prelle A, Spadaro D, Garibaldi A, Gullino ML (2014) Co-occurrence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in spices commercialized in Italy. Food Control 39:192–197

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Riba A, Bouras N, Mokrane S, Mathieu F, Lebrihi A, Sabaou N (2010) Aspergillus section Flavi and aflatoxins in Algerian wheat and derived products. Food Chem Toxicol 48:2772–2777

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Riordan MJO, Wilkinson MG (2008) A survey of the incidence and level of aflatoxin contamination in a range of imported spice preparations on the Irish retail market. Food Chem 107:2429–2435

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos L, Marín S, Sanchis V, Ramos AJ (2010) Co-occurrence of aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and zearalenone in Capsicum powder samples available on the Spanish market. Food Chem 122:826–830

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Set E, Erkmen O (2010) The aflatoxin contamination of ground red pepper and pistachio nuts sold in Turkey. Food Chem Toxicol 48:2532–2537

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma S, Gupta D, Sharma YP (2013) Aflatoxin contamination in chilgoza pine nuts (pinus gerardiana wall.) commercially available in retail markets of Jammu, India. Int J Pharma Bio Sci 4:751–759

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shundo L, de Almeida AP, Alaburda J, Lamardo LCA, Navas SA, Ruvieri V, Sabino M (2009) Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in Brazilian paprika. Food Control 20:1099–1102

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Udomkun P, Wiredu AN, Nagle M, Müller J, Vanlauwe B, Bandyopadhyay R (2017) Innovative technologies to manage aflatoxins in foods and feeds and the profitability of application – a review. Food Control 76:127–138

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Verheecke C, Liboz T, Mathieu F (2016) Microbial degradation of aflatoxin B1: current status and future advances. Int J Food Microbiol 237:1–9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vidal A, Marín S, Ramos AJ, Cano-Sancho G, Sanchis V (2013) Determination of aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A and zearalenone in wheat and oat based bran supplements sold in the Spanish market. Food Chem Toxicol 53:133–138

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wild CP, Gong YY (2010) Mycotoxins and human disease: a largely ignored global health issue. Carcinogenesis 31(1):71–82

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (WHO) (2002) Evaluation of certain mycotoxins in food. World Health Organization, Geneva ISBN:9241209062

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao X, Schaffner DW, Yue T (2013) Quantification of aflatoxin risk associated with Chinese spices: point and probability risk assessments for aflatoxin B1. Food Control 33:366–377

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan

    Amir Ismail, Muhammad Riaz & Saeed Akhtar

  2. School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

    Yun Yun Gong

  3. School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China

    Jin Sun

Authors
  1. Amir Ismail
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Muhammad Riaz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yun Yun Gong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Saeed Akhtar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jin Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amir Ismail .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany and Centre for Environmental Studies Ege University, Vice President of the Islamic World Academy of Sciences Amann, Jordan, Izmir, Izmir, Turkey

    Munir Ozturk

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    Khalid Rehman Hakeem

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Ismail, A., Riaz, M., Gong, Y.Y., Akhtar, S., Sun, J. (2019). Aflatoxins in Plant-Based Foods. In: Ozturk, M., Hakeem, K. (eds) Plant and Human Health, Volume 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03344-6_13

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation