Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)

AFB1 is a potent toxin, mutagen, and carcinogen, and is implicated in the etiology of hepatocarcinoma.

Warm temperatures, high humidity, and plant injuries, in the field and during storage, promote both the growth of the fungi and aflatoxin production. The greatest threat to public health is from contaminated peanuts, cottonseed, maize, and rice.

Although the liver is the major site of injury, Aflatoxin B1-induced tumors have been experimentally produced in the lungs, kidneys, and colons of rodents.

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Aflatoxins are some of the most carcinogenic substances in the environment. Aflatoxin susceptibility is dependent on multiple different factors such as age, sex, and diet. Aflatoxin can be found in beans, corn, rice, tree nuts, wheat, milk, eggs, and meat. In cases of lung aspergilloma, aflatoxin has been found in human tissue specimens. Aflatoxin can lead to liver damage, cancer, mental impairment, abdominal pain, hemorrhaging, coma, and death. Aflatoxin has been shown to inhibit leucocyte proliferation. Clinical signs of aflatoxicosis are non-pruritic macular rash, headache, gastrointestinal dysfunction (often extreme), lower extremity edema, anemia, and jaundice. Treatment should include fluid support to prevent dehydration. The toxicity of Aflotoxin is increased in the presence of Ochratoxin and Zearalenone. The drug Oltipraz can increase glutathione conjugation of aflatoxin while inhibiting the toxic effect of P450 oxidation, reducing liver toxicity and promoting safer elimination. A diet of carrots, parsnips, celery, and parsley may reduce the carcinogenic effects of aflatoxin. Bentonite clay is reported to reduce the absorption of aflatoxins found in food. Supplementation with chlorophyllin, zinc, and vitamins A, E, and C has been used to treat aflatoxicosis. 

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a mycotoxin produced by several strains of the fungus Aspergillus flavus. It is found in foods, specifically cereals such as corn and rice, tree nuts, oilseeds (peanut, cottonseed, etc.) and spices, notably those grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions. There is substantial evidence that aflatoxins cause hepatic carcinoma and AFB1, the most toxic aflatoxin, is classified as carcinogenic (Group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Aflatoxins such as AFB1 can cause additive effects in individuals affected by hepatitis B. Wasting and weight loss, stunted growth and development in children, liver cirrhosis and aflatoxicosis are other conditions associated with aflatoxin ingestion.