Aflatoxin Is Deadly

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Aflatoxin Is Deadly

Posted on December 27th, 2008 under Special Report. Tags: Aflatoxin,

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Never take aflatoxins for granted. Worldwide, it is known to be

deadly.

http://www.agribusinessweek.com/aflatoxin-is-deadly/

Helen R. Calica, supervising science research specialist of BPRE,

said that among the mycotoxins, aflatoxins are the most widely known

because of its acute and chronic toxicity in animals. It causes

acute liver damage, liver cirrhosis, stimulation of tumors, and

other genetic effects.

Calica reported that in 1960, the first effect of aflatoxins was

realized following the death of 100,000 young turkeys in England. A

high incidence of liver disease in ducklings in Kenya was also

found. Scientists soon established that the cause of these problems

were the common molds Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus.

In 1974, an outbreak of hepatitis due to aflatoxins affected 400

people in India, resulting in the death of 100 or one-fifth, the

BPRE expert added. The outbreak was caused by corn heavily

contaminated with Aspergillusflavus.

She added that aflatoxins were also the suspected cause of Reye's

syndrome, a common cause of death of children in Southeast Asia. In

1971, exactly 23 Thai children died of the Reye's syndrome and

scientists found significant levels of aflatoxins in their livers.

In Czechoslovakia and New Zealand, aflatoxins were also found in the

livers of children who have died from Reye's syndrome.

One hundred twenty-five Kenyans died in 2004 after eating corn

contaminated with aflatoxins. Nearly 200 others were treated after

eating similar material. The deaths were associated mainly with

homegrown corn that had not been treated with fungicides or properly

dried before storage. It was reported that due to food shortages at

that time, Kenyan farmers harvested corn earlier than normal to

prevent thefts from their fields. The corn kernels were more

susceptible to aflatoxin infection because these were not fully

matured.

Calica said that aflatoxins remain as a problem in developing

countries. She said that according to the Food and Agriculture

Organization, cases of aflatoxins are alarming especially in the

Philippines because of the high temperature and relative humidity,

which favor fungal growth. Moreover, heavy rains coincide with the

peak harvest months of staple cereals, particularly corn. As a

result, high moisture in the grains leads to aflatoxin formation.

Unfortunately, many farmers in the Philippines are not aware of the

deadly effects of aflatoxin. In Isabela, we passed by piles of corn

still with their husk being exposed to continuous rains towards the

end of last August. On our way to Brgy. Dinganen, Buldon, Shariff

Kabunsuan in early September, we also passed by a good number of

sacks filled with corn still in the cob, that were stored outside.

Consequently, the corn is exposed to aflatoxin contamination.