Risk assessment of the occurrence of aflatoxin and fungi in peanuts and cashew nuts

In the present study, the occurrence of fungi and aflatoxins (AFs) in peanut and cashew nut samples was investigated. Mycological analysis revealed the presence of fungi in 58.8% of samples, and assessment of AFs by chromatographic methods revealed that 52.9% were contaminated by AFs. AFB1 was the principal component in all AF-contaminated samples, with a mean level of 14.0, and 1.08 µg/kg in peanut and cashew nut, respectively. Eleven samples (32.4%) exceeded the total AF maximum level (4 µg/kg) and 8 samples (23.5%) exceeded the AFB1 (2 µg/kg) established by the European Commission. Our findings suggest that the incidence of AFs emphasizes the need for regular monitoring and a more stringent food safety system to control AFs at the lowest possible levels in peanuts and cashew nuts. The hypothetical dietary exposure suggests that the food products evaluated may significantly contribute to the overall human exposure

Factores extrínsecos e intrínsecos asociados a poblaciones fúngicas micotoxigénicas de granos de maíz (Zea mays L) almacenados en silos bolsa en Argentina / Extrinsic and intrinsic factors associated with mycotoxigenic fungi populations of maize grains (Zea mays L.) stored in silobags in Argentina

Con el objeto de caracterizar las poblaciones fúngicas, en particular las especies potencialmente micotoxigénicas, que pueden contaminar los granos de maíz almacenados en silos bolsa con un contenido de humedad superior al recomendado como seguro, se evaluaron 270 muestras extraídas al inicio, a los 90 días y al final de un período de almacenamiento de 5 meses. En dichas muestras se cuantificó e identificó la biota fúngica y se determinó la contaminación con fumonisinas y aflatoxinas. Asimismo, se evaluó el efecto de factores extrínsecos (ambiente), intrínsecos (granos) y tecnológicos (ubicación de los granos en el perfil del silo bolsa) sobre las poblaciones totales y micotoxigénicas. El pH de los granos y el nivel de O2 se redujeron significativamente a los 5 meses, mientras que la concentración de CO2 se incrementó en igual período. Los recuentos totales de la micobiota fueron significativamente mayores en los granos ubicados en el estrato superior del silo bolsa. Se identificaron especies micotoxigénicas de Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium y Eurotium. La frecuencia de aislamiento de Fusarium verticillioides se redujo al final del almacenamiento y Aspergillus flavus solo se aisló en el inicio del almacenamiento. Los recuentos de Penicillium spp. y Eurotium spp. se incrementaron al final del almacenamiento. El 100 % de las muestras presentaron contaminación con fumonisinas, con niveles máximos de 5,707 mg/kg, mientras que las aflatoxinas contaminaron el 40 % de las muestras con niveles máximos de 0,0008 mg/kg. Las condiciones ambientales y de sustrato generadas durante el almacenamiento produjeron cambios en la composición de las poblaciones fúngicas y limitaron el desarrollo de hongos micotoxigénicos y la producción de micotoxinas.

In order to determine the behavior of mycotoxin-producing fungal populations linked with silobags stored corn grains with a moisture content greater at the recommended as safe, 270 samples taken in three times (beginning, 90 days, final) over a five month period of storage were evaluated. The fungal biota was quantified and identified and the contamination with fumonisin and aflatoxin was determined. Extrinsic factors (environment), intrinsic factors (grains) and technological factors (location of the grains in the profile of silobag) were taken into account to evaluate the presence and quantity of total and mycotoxigenic fungal populations. The pH of grains and O2 levels were significantly reduced after five months, while CO2 concentration increased in the same period. The total counts of mycobiota were significantly higher in grains located in the top layer of silobag. Mycotoxigenic species of Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Eurotium were identified. The frequency of isolation of Fusarium verticillioides decreased at the end of storage and Aspergillus flavus was isolated only at the beginning of storage. The counts of the Penicillium spp. and Eurotium spp. were increased at the end of storage. Fumonisin contamination was found in all the samples (100 %) with maximum levels of 5.707 mg/kg whereas aflatoxin contaminated only 40 % with maximum levels of 0.0008 mg/kg. The environmental and substrate conditions generated during the storage limited the development of mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxin production.

Análise micológica e toxicológica em amendoim e derivados / Mycological and toxicological analysis of peanuts and derivatives

The filamentous fungi Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus nomius produce toxins, which are secondary metabolites called aflatoxins. These toxin-producing species grow rapidly on peanuts and cereals in favorable conditions of temperature and humidity. Their toxins can either cause acute effects, and even be lethal or accumulate in the organism, resulting in liver cancer in the long term. Based on the health risks of aflatoxins in food, a research was conducted on peanuts and derivatives sold in Alfenas, MG, Brazil, to evaluate the presence of Aspergillus sp. and aflatoxins. The samples were randomly collected at ?popular stores?, from November 2008 to May 2009, to assess the occurrence of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The mycological analysis revealed the presence of fungi in 50% of the samples: Penicillium sp. (53.85%), A. flavus (19.23%), A. niger (15.38%) and A. fumigatus (11.54%), and 63.64% of these showed the presence of aflatoxins : B1 (43.14%), B2 (25.49%), G1 (23.53%) and G2 (7.84%). It is concluded that the results reported here are a cause for concern, given the harmfulness of these cumulative and carcinogenic toxins.

As espécies Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus e Aspergillus nomius produzem micotoxinas, que são metabólitos secundários denominados de aflatoxinas. Desenvolvem-se rapidamente em amendoins e cereais produzindo esta toxina, quando em condições favoráveis de temperatura e umidade. Essas toxinas podem produzir efeitos agudos, letais ou não, ou efeito cumulativo no organismo, que a longo prazo, podem causar, principalmente, lesões carcinogênicas hepáticas. Sabendo-se dos riscos à saúde, devido à presença de aflatoxinas nos alimentos, foi realizada uma pesquisa em amendoins e derivados comercializados na cidade de Alfenas ? MG, Brasil, para avaliar a presença de aflatoxinas e de fungos do gênero Aspergillus sp. Amostras foram coletadas aleatoriamente em lojas populares no período de novembro de 2008 a maio de 2009 e avaliada a ocorrência de aflatoxinas B1, B2, G1 e G2, utilizando-se a técnica de Cromatografia de Camada Delgada (CCD). Na análise micológica foi constatada a presença de fungos em 50% das amostras, das espécies: Penicillium sp. (53,85%), A. flavus (19,23%), A. niger (15,38%), A. fumigatus (11,54%). Obteve-se como resultado para a presença de aflatoxinas 63,64 %, sendo: B1 (43,14%), B2 (25,49%), G1 (23,53%), G2 (7,84%). Concluiu-se que os números encontrados são preocupantes, tendo em vista a periculosidade desta substância

Investigação do gene p53 de frangos expostos às aflatoxinas / Investigation of p53 gene in poultries exposed to aflatoxins

Identificou-se o efeito das aflatoxinas (AFs) sobre o gene p53 de frangos de corte, de linhagem comercial, separados em: grupo experimental, tratado (GT) com ração comercial contendo 2,8ppm de AFs totais durante 21 dias consecutivos, e grupo-controle (GC), sem exposição às AFs. Macroscopicamente, as alterações caracterizaram-se por hepatomegalia e aspecto pálido-amarelado com alguns focos hemorrágicos e, histologicamente, por desarranjo trabecular, pleomorfismo hepatocítico com cariomegalia, degeneração vacuolar intracitoplasmática, necrose com infiltração linfocítica e hiperplasia de ductos biliares. A PCR com os primers GSPT53c-1 com base no gene candidato a p53 (GenBank XM_424937.2) gerou um produto de aproximadamente 350 pares de base. O amplicon sequenciado a partir do DNA dos frangos do GT não apresentou mutação ou deleção, assim como padrão de bandas do PCR-RFLP não foi distinto entre ambos os grupos experimentais e a sequência depositada no banco de genes. Os resultados sugerem que não ocorreu transversão devido à exposição às AFs no fragmento amplificado. Conclui-se que a PCR-RFLP e o sequenciamento do produto da PCR não são ferramentas apropriadas para diagnóstico da exposição de frangos às AFs nas condições experimentais empregadas.

To identify the effects of aflatoxins (AFs), Cobb lineage poultry were separated in an experimental group in which they were treated with commercial ration containing 2.8ppm of total AFs during 21 days (TG) and a control group without AFs exposure (CG). In the liver of poultries exposed to AFs, alterations were microscopically observed, which were characterized by hepatomegaly, a pale yellowish aspect with some hemorrhagic spots, and histologically a trabecullar disarranging pleomorphic hepatocytes with cariomegaly, intracytoplasmatic vacuolar degeneration, necrosis, lymphocytic infiltration and hyperplasia of biliary ducts. The PCR with GSPT53c-1 primers based on p53 candidate gen (GenBank XM_424937.2) generated a product of approximately 350 base pairs. The sequenced amplicon obtained from the DNA of treated poultry did not display any mutation or deletion, and the PCR- RFLP bands patterns were also not distinct in both experimental groups. The results indicated that transversion did not occur in the fragment amplified due to AFs exposure. As a consequence of results obtained with p53 gene (NM_205264.1) we concluded that PCR-RFLP and sequencing of PCR product are not appropriate diagnostic tools for the detection of poultry exposure to AFs, at least in the experimental conditions performed.

Análise de aflatoxina em paçoca de amendoim produzida no estado do Rio Grande do Sul e comercializada na cidade de Porto Alegre / Analysis of aflatoxin in peanut paçoca produced in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and commercialized in Porto Alegre

As aflatoxinas são micotoxinas produzidas pelo metabolismo secundário de três principais espécies fúngicas, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus Parasiticus e Aspergillus nomius, que pode contaminar os alimentos de consumo humano e animal. A exposição por ingestão de aflatoxinas pode levar ao desenvolvimento de sérias patologias, pois são compostos imunossupressores, além de mutagênicos, carcinogênicos e teratogênicos, sendo um problema para saúde pública e para a segurança alimentar. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a presença e os níveis de contaminação por aflatoxina em paçocas de amendoim, coletadas em pontos de venda próximos ou no interior de instituições de ensino fundamental e superior, na cidade de Porto Alegre.

[ rate of Aflatoxin contamination of bread losses in Lorestan provinces]

Aflatoxins belong to a group of toxins called mycotoxins that infection with them can cause complications in humans such as immunity weakness, lung syndrome, liver cancer, esophagus cancer and hemagglutination, and are inhibitor of RNA and protein, as well as cause numerous complications in genital, respiratory and the digestive systems and because of their poisoning and carcinogenic and tumorigenic properties, cause numerous complications in livestock. This research was carried out to determine the rate of Aflatoxine contamination of bread losses in Lorestan province and its comparison with standard levels reported by WHO and FAO. This study was done by field and laboratory method on 180 samples of losses dried bread in 2009 with randomized distribution in Lorestan province and detection of samples contamination to aflatoxin was done by HPLC floresence apparatus. Data was analyzed by SPSS software [alpha=5%].The median rate of types of aflatoxin: B1,B2,G1 and G2 total types of aflatoxin in bread losses [infected, semi-infected and safe] in Lorestan were 22.5304, 2.4369, 0.1923, 0.1022 and 25.2636 [microg/kg]. Average of minimum and maximum infection to aflatoxin with all types of aflatoxin belonged to Khorramabad [42.9403 and 47.7153 microg/kg] and Borujerd [1.8611 and 1.9833] respectively. Average rate of aflatoxin type B1 in infected, semi-infected and safe bread are 64.0536, 1.9167, 0.5629 [microg/kg] and average rate of all types of aflatoxin in infected, and safe breads were: 72.0257, 1.9990 and 05753 [microg/kg]. Also rate of aflatoxin B1 in 29 out of 180 samples are more than standard level and total rate of different types of aflatoxin in 18 samples were more than standard levels. Results of the carried out studies showed that the milk of the cows feeding dried bread contains large amount of Aflatoxin's metabolites, so the consumption of losses dried bread must be forbidden for livestock and humans too

Contaminação dos alimentos por aflatoxinas e riscos à saúde / Contamination of food by aflatoxin and risks to health

Aflatoxinas são metabólitos secundários produzidos por fungos do gênero Aspergillus, principalmente A. flavus e A. parasiticus. Devido sua ampla distribuição na natureza, contaminando diversos grupos de alimentos, a presente revisão tem como objetivo mostrar os riscos e efeitos à saúde pela contaminação por estas substâncias, tendo como base dezenas de pesquisas obtidas através de bancos de dados internacionais. Considerando-se ampla ocorrência das aflatoxinas em alimentos no Brasil, a sua alta toxidade, carcinogenicidade, mutagenicidade e teratogenicidade, se faz necessário a atuação da vigilância de forma preventiva e educativa, a fim de minimizar a contaminação humana e animal com essas micotoxinas, bem como o desenvolvimento de novas pesquisas que apontem novos componentes nutricionais que minimizem os efeitos destas toxinas.

Epidemiología y factores de riesgo de carcinoma hepatocelular / Epidemiology and risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma

El cáncer primario de hígado es en el mundo la quinta neoplasia más común en hombres y la octava en mujeres, con gran impacto debido a su alta mortalidad, ya que representa la tercera causa de mortalidad relacionadacon cáncer en población masculina. Se ha descrito una fuerte asociación con factores de riesgo como las hepatitis virales crónicas, las hepatopatías de origengenético, el consumo de alcohol, el tabaquismo y enfermedades metabólicas, entre otras. En este artículo se analizan publicaciones originales y de revisión en las que se evalúan dichos factores y su asociación con el carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC).Además, se recopila información actualizada sobre datos epidemiológicos por regiones del mundo.

Effect of aflatoxin on the coccidial infection in broilers

Two hundred of one day old chickens were divided into four equal groups and kept for the end of experiment. The first group was kept as control negative, the second group received 1 ppm of dietary aflatoxin from day zero of chick life till the end of present study, while the third group was given 4x10[4] sporulated oocysts of Eimeria sp., the group four were obtained coccidial oocysts and aflatoxin in their rations. The combination of aflatoxin and coccidia, produced higher mortality rate, higher faecal scores and increased oocysts output than those chicks received aflatoxin or coccidia only. Body weighs and efficiency of feed utilization were decreased in all treated groups. The maximal losses of body weight and efficiency of feed utilization were noticed in chicks infected with Eimeria sp. and at received aflatoxin in their ration. The levels of total serum proteins, gamma globulins, calcium and phosphorus were decreased in chicks infected with coccidia and received dietary aflatoxin. Total bilirubin and SGOT activity were higher in chicks infected with Eimeria sp, and obtained aflatoxin

The Bioload and Aflatoxin Content of Market Garri from some Selected States in Southern Nigeria: Public Health Significance

Background: Garri is consumed by several millions of people in the West African sub-region and in Nigeria in particular regardless of ethnicity and socio-economic class. How- ever production and handling methods have not been standardized resulting in a product with varying quality and safety indices hence varying public health concern. Objec- tives: To investigate the microbial contamination level; presence; prevalence and distribution of Aflations B1; B2; G1 and G2 in market garri with the aim of developing useful indices for safe handling and acceptable public health standards. Methods: A total of 300 samples comprising of 30 samples each from various market in both urban and rural settings were randomly collected using sterile polyethylene bags. These were analysed for microbiological quality and aflatoxins content using standard procedures. Results: Eight bacteria genera (Bacillus; Staphylococcus; Streptococcus; Pseudomonas; Clostridium; Salmonella Klebsiella and Coliforms groups) genera and six fungi genera (Asper- gillus; Penicillium; Rhizopus; Botrytls; Fusarium and Cladosporium) were detected and isolated. Aflatoxins B1; B2; G1 and G2 were detected in varying concentrations amongst the samples analysed within and amongst the states investigated with an average occurrence rate of 17.5Conclusion: Market garri was found to contain high bioload with vast array of micro-organisms and Aflatoxins in all the states investigated. Results are useful in developing and establishing public health standards for the production and safe handling of garri

Efecto del alimento contaminado con aflatoxina B1 0.07 mg/kg) sobre la morfología hepática y actividad enzimática sérica (AST y ALT) en pollos de engorde / Effect of foodstuff contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (0.07 mg/kg) on liver morphology and serum enzymes (AST y ALT) activity in broiler chickens

El presente ensayo fue conducido para determinar el efecto del alimento contaminado con 0,07mg/kg (70 ppb) de aflatoxina B1 (AFB1), sobre la morfología hepática y actividad enzimática sérica de Aspartato-aminotransferasa (AST) y aAlanino-aminotransferasa (ALT) en pollos de engorde, a fin de evaluar su toxicidad. Un total de 120 pollos del híbrido comercial Hubbar x Hubbar, machos, de un día de nacidos, fueron asignados al azar para recibir 2 tipos de dietas durante 42 días, cada una con 4 réplicas de 15 pollos, éstas correspondieron a los siguientes tratamientos (T) T1: grupo control que consiste en alimento comercial (AC) sin niveles detectables de aflatoxina y T2: AC + 0,07mg/kg de AFB1. Se tomaron 8 aves al azar por tratamiento (dos por réplica) de las cuales se obtuvo muestras de suero sanguíneo y sus respectivos hígados para la evaluación morfológica. Al comprar los promedios de pesos hepáticos relativos de ambos tratamientos no se detectó diferencia significativa y no se observaron lesiones macroscópicas en los hígados de ambos grupos. Microscópicamente, las muestras de hígados de T2, presentaron lesiones hepatotóxicas de leve a moderada, observándose en algunos casos lesiones características de micotoxicosis hepática leve (proliferación y dilatación de conductos biliares). La ingestión de 0,07mg/kg de AFB1 en el alimento, no alteró significativamente la actividad enzimática sérica de ALT, pero sí disminuyó (P<0,05) la actividad sérica de AST. Estos resultados sugieren que el consumo de alimento con bajas concentraciones de AFB1 (0,07 mg/kg), pueden causar hepatotoxicidad en pollos de engorde e inducir aflatoxicosis crónica.

Mycotoxin residues in new chicken breast meat products

Thirty random poultry meat products fifteen from each [Kiev and Cordon bleu] were collected from different groceries and supermarkets in Cairo and Giza Governorates were analyzed for determination of some mycotoxin residues. Aflatoxins [AFs] and ochratoxin A [OA] could be detected with different percentages and levels, the highest percentages [86.66%] of AFB1 were present in coat of Kiev and Cordon bleu, while the lowest percentage [13.33%] for G[1] and G[2] in the meat part of Kiev and M[1] and M[2] in its coat. OA was detected in all tested samples of Cordon bleu coat, but the lowest percentage [46.66%] in the Cordon bleu core "cheese". On the other hand, the highest estimated level [22.0 microg/kg] of AFB[1] was estimated in Cordon bleu coat and 10.6 microg/kg OA in Kiev coat. The lowest level was found to be 1.1 microg/kg for each of AFs [B[1], B[2], G[1] G[2] in Kiev coat and 1.1 microg/kg OA in each of meat and butter of Kiev and meat and cheese of Cordon bleu samples. The public health significance of mycotoxin residues and measures to prevent contamination of meat products with mycotoxins were discussed

Level of aflatoxin residues in mugil cephalus and tilapia nilotica fishes from streams and aquaculture in Alexandria

Sixty random samples of Bori [Mugil cephalus] and boulti [Tilapia nilotica] were collected from four aquacultures and streams around Alexandria governorate for detection of aflatoxins residues in their edible parts. Cultured M. cephnlus showed high level of total aflatoxins [27.61, 13.49micro g/kg] than cultured T. nilotica [7.12 micro g/kg] or naturally live T nilotica in water stream [1.81 micro g/kg]. Aflatoxin B[1] was the predominant toxin among others [B2, G 1, and G2] in both species. Generally, aflatoxins residues were higher in cultured M. cephalus and its concentration in one farm reach to above the maximum allowable limits. Efforts should be directed towards decreasing the level of aflatoxins in fish feeds to avoid the hazard effect of aflatoxins on human health

Epidemiology of digestive tract cancers in India. III. Liver.

Liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth commonest cause of cancer deaths in the world. The condition is extremely common in Southeast Asia and Africa. In this report the available data on the epidemiology of HCC from India are summarized. We estimate that 12,750 new patients will be diagnosed to have HCC in India in the year 2001; this will comprise 1.6% of all incident cancers. Published studies from India and those involving Indian immigrants to other countries suggest that the prevalence of HCC is relatively lower in Indians than in most parts of the world. This contrasts with the widespread contamination of foods with aflatoxin and the moderately high prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus-related chronic liver disease in India. There are no studies available to explain this observation. There are several articles on HBV and HCC in India but there is a paucity of analytical epidemiological data on HCV and HCC from India. Published studies indicate HBV to be the single most important etiologic association, with HCV playing a lesser but important role. About 80% of Indian patients with HCC have hepatitis virus-associated liver disease. Multicenter epidemiological studies are needed to solve some of the enigmas and observations peculiar to India.

Desempenho de perus de corte alimentados com níveis crescentes de afloxinas, com ou sem adiçäo de adsorvente / Turkey performance fed with increasing aflatoxins levels, with or without adsorvent inclusion

Este trabalho foi realizado durante o veräo de 1995/1996 com o objetivo de determinar o nível de aflatoxinas (AFL) capaz de causar prejuízos no desempenho de perus de corte criados sob condiçöes ambientais de baixo desafio, bem como avaliar a eficácia da adiçäo de bentonita sódica natural (BSN) como um adsorvente. Foram utilizados 1008 perus de corte, alojados em 84 boxes seguindo um delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados com 14 tratamentos distribuídos em um arranjo fatorial 7 x 2, sendo 7 níveis de adiçäo de AFL (0, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000 e 2000ppb) e 2 níveis de adiçäo de BSN (0 e 0,5 porcento). Aos 21 dias de idade, as aves alimentadas com as dietas sem adiçäo de BSN mostraram uma reduçäo significativa (P<0,05) no ganho de peso (GP) e no consumo de raçäo (CR) com níveis de AFL iguais ou superiores a 500ppb, enquanto que aves alimentadas com as dietas com 0,5 porcento de BSN mostraram reduçäo significativa (P<0,05) no GP e CR apenas à partir de 1000ppb de AFL. Estes mesmos resultados foram observados aos 40 dias de idade, entretanto aos 70 dias ocorreu uma reduçäo significativa (P<0,05) no GP e CR das aves à partir de 500ppb de AFL, com ou sem adiçäo de BSN, demonstrando um efeito cumulativo desta micotoxina. Em geral, em todos os níveis de adiçäo de AFL que ocorreu reduçäo significativa no GP e CR das aves, esta foi cerca de 15 a 20 porcento menor nos grupos alimentados com 0,5 porcento de BSN. A conversäo alimentar (CA) das aves foi menos afetada pelos níveis de AFL dietéticos, embora tenha existido uma tendência de piora na CA com altos níveis de AFL, em todas as idades. Aflatoxinas tiveram um grande efeito sobre a taxa de mortalidade (porcentagem MOR), sendo que já aos 21 dias a porcentagem MOR verificada nos lotes que receberam 1000 e 2000ppb de AFL, sem BSN, foi de 15,3 e 72,2 porcento, respectivamente. Antes de completar 40 dias de experimento, 100 porcento das aves alimentadas com dietas contendo 2000ppb de AFL, sem e com BSN, morreram. A adiçäo de 0,5 porcento de BSN proporcionaou uma reduçäo média de 35 porcento na porcentagem MOR em comparaçäo aves alimentadas com dietas sem BSN. Com base nos resultados pode ser concluído que AFL säo extremamente deletérias aos perus e que a adiçäo de 0,5 porcento de BSN na raçäo protege particalmente os perus dos efeitos negativos desta micotoxina.

Aflatoxinas en salud humana

Las micotoxinas son metabolitos secudarios de hongos toxigénicos que pueden contaminar alimentos de consumo humano y animal, constituyéndose en riesgo potencial de enfermedad; hoy se conocen aproximadamente 500, entre las que se encuentran las aflatoxinas. De ésta, se han identificado 18, siendo la más importante la aflatoxina B1, considerada sustancia cancérigena en animales de experimentación. Las aflatoxinas se encuentran en cereales, nueces, frutas y semillas oleaginosas. El consumo agudo puede producir emesis, dolor abdominal, edema pulmonar, infiltración grasa y necrosis hepática. El consumo crónico de bajas cantidades guarda relación con carcinoma he patocelular en humanos. Puede afectar también el sistama inmune, las células T son más susceptibles que las células B y el efecto desaparece el consumo de la aflatoxina. También puede encontrarse anemia, alteración de la coagulación, el tiempo de protrombina y el tiempo de recalcificación del plasma. En colombia no se ha profundizado sobre el tema. Se debe considerar el impacto que pueden tener las aflatoxinas sobre la salud humana y animal.

Control de alimentos y las aflatoxinas / Food control and aflatoxics

Entre los microorganismos que producen la contaminacion de los alimentos de consumo humano, se encuentra el Aspergillus flavus, a traves del factor toxico denominado Aflatoxina. las condiciones de temperatura de 20 a 38 grados centigrados los niveles de humedad de 14 a 30 por ciento , la presencia de nutrientes, ogigeno, etc, favorecen el desarrollo de estos hongos y la produccion de toxinas en los alimentos, producto de las inadecuadas condiciones higienico sanitarias. A todo esto se suman las dificultades economicas de los paises en desarrollo, donde existen problemas de desnutricion, patologias gastro-intestinales, enfermedades carenciales y un mayor consumo de hidratos de carbono, que proteinas, lo que incrementa la sensibilidad de la poblacion a las sustancias toxicas. El cancer hepatico es uno de los principales efectos patologicos relacionados con la aflatoxina, cuyo nivel de tolerancia en los productos alimenticios esta entre 3 a 25 mcg/Kg (5mcg/Kg para aflatoxina B1, que es la mas toxica). En Bolivia, INLASA acepta 10 mcg/Kg como nivel de tolerancia. La deteccion de aflatoxinas en el arroz vietnamita introducido al pais, debe ser el punto de partida para implementar un sistema de prevencion y control de alimentos contaminados, con la participacion de la poblacion y una coordinacion interinstitucional decidida

Influencia de aflatoxina B1 sobre o crescimento de ratos submetidos a diferentes condiçöes nutricionais / Influence of aflatoxin B1 on growth of rats subjected to different nutritional conditions

O efeito da adiçäo da aflatoxina B1 foi estudado em 48 ratos Sprague Dawley machos, desmamados aos 21 dias de idade. Os animais constantes do grupo experimental receberam dietas: aporotéica, Basica Regional do Nordeste Brasileiro (DBR, com 9.07% de proteínas) e à base de caseína comercial a 10 e 20%, acrescidas de 5 mg da aflatoxina B1/kg de raçäo. Os animais do grupo controle receberam dietas idênticas às do grupo experimental, todavia, sem adiçäo da referida toxina. O peso corporal, a ingestäo alimentar, protéica e da AFB1 foram registradas visando detectar possíveis alteraçöes orgânicas. As alteraçöes observadas, segundo o teor protéico e a qualidade das dietas utilizadas, foram agravadas pela ingestäo da aflatoxina B1, evidenciando-se alteraçöes significativas nos parâmetros estudados, sobretudo nos animais submetidos à depleçäo protéica e naqueles alimentados com dieta DBR e caseína comercial a 10%, em relaçäo aos respectivos controles. Os grupos experimentais apresentaram alteraçöes significativas nos parâmetros estudados, sobretudo os animais submetidos à depleçäo protéica, e os mantidos com a dieta DBR e 10% de caseína comercial, em relaçäo aos respectivos controles

Incidencia de contaminación con aflatixina B1 en muestras de harina de maiz precocida, maiz en grano y pico de maiz / Aflatoxin B1 pollution incidence un cooked corn flour, corn ingrain and hominy samples

Este trabajo tuvo como propósito, determinar la presencia de Aflatoxina B1 en productos procesados y no procesados. Los riesgos potenciales por contaminación aflatoxínica del maíz y productos derivados, están asociados al destino que se les de a los mismos. En el caso de productos procesados (harina precocida el riesgo es directo para el consumo humano. En el caso de maíz propiamente dicho, el riesgo va dirigido a una población humana restringida y a la población animal. En esta última representa un riesgo directo, y en humano, un peligro indirecto por consumir los animales o sus derivados