Toxicity, Mitigation, and Chemical Analysis of Aflatoxins and Other Toxic Metabolites Produced by Aspergillus: A Comprehensive Review
Aflatoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced primarily by <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> and <i>Aspergillus parasiticus</i>, pose significant risks to food safety, public health, and global trade. These mycotoxins contaminate staple crops such as maize and peanuts, particularl...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Habtamu Fekadu Gemede |
| author_facet | Habtamu Fekadu Gemede |
| author_sort | Habtamu Fekadu Gemede |
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| description | Aflatoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced primarily by <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> and <i>Aspergillus parasiticus</i>, pose significant risks to food safety, public health, and global trade. These mycotoxins contaminate staple crops such as maize and peanuts, particularly in warm and humid regions, leading to economic losses and severe health effects, including hepatocellular carcinoma, immune suppression, and growth impairment. In addition to aflatoxins, Aspergillus species produce other toxic metabolites such as ochratoxin A, sterigmatocystin, and cyclopiazonic acid, which are associated with nephrotoxic, carcinogenic, and neurotoxic effects, respectively. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of aflatoxin toxicity, mitigation strategies, and chemical detection methods. The toxicity of aflatoxins is discussed in relation to their biochemical mechanisms, carcinogenicity, and synergistic effects with other mycotoxins. Various mitigation approaches, including pre-harvest biocontrol, post-harvest storage management, and novel detoxification methods such as enzymatic degradation and nanotechnology-based interventions, are evaluated. Furthermore, advances in aflatoxin detection, including chromatographic, immunoassay, and biosensor-based methods, are explored to improve regulatory compliance and food safety monitoring. This review underscores the need for integrated management strategies and global collaboration to reduce aflatoxin contamination and its associated health and economic burdens. Future research directions should focus on genetic engineering for resistant crop varieties, climate adaptation strategies, and improved risk assessment models. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-912c75c3d95d472b83b32506b9a087b7 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2072-6651 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Toxins |
| spelling | doaj-art-912c75c3d95d472b83b32506b9a087b72025-07-25T13:37:45ZengMDPI AGToxins2072-66512025-06-0117733110.3390/toxins17070331Toxicity, Mitigation, and Chemical Analysis of Aflatoxins and Other Toxic Metabolites Produced by Aspergillus: A Comprehensive ReviewHabtamu Fekadu Gemede0Department of Food Technology and Process Engineering, Wollega University, Nekemte P.O. Box 395, EthiopiaAflatoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced primarily by <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> and <i>Aspergillus parasiticus</i>, pose significant risks to food safety, public health, and global trade. These mycotoxins contaminate staple crops such as maize and peanuts, particularly in warm and humid regions, leading to economic losses and severe health effects, including hepatocellular carcinoma, immune suppression, and growth impairment. In addition to aflatoxins, Aspergillus species produce other toxic metabolites such as ochratoxin A, sterigmatocystin, and cyclopiazonic acid, which are associated with nephrotoxic, carcinogenic, and neurotoxic effects, respectively. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of aflatoxin toxicity, mitigation strategies, and chemical detection methods. The toxicity of aflatoxins is discussed in relation to their biochemical mechanisms, carcinogenicity, and synergistic effects with other mycotoxins. Various mitigation approaches, including pre-harvest biocontrol, post-harvest storage management, and novel detoxification methods such as enzymatic degradation and nanotechnology-based interventions, are evaluated. Furthermore, advances in aflatoxin detection, including chromatographic, immunoassay, and biosensor-based methods, are explored to improve regulatory compliance and food safety monitoring. This review underscores the need for integrated management strategies and global collaboration to reduce aflatoxin contamination and its associated health and economic burdens. Future research directions should focus on genetic engineering for resistant crop varieties, climate adaptation strategies, and improved risk assessment models.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/17/7/331aflatoxins<i>Aspergillus</i>food safetymycotoxinspublic healthmitigation strategies |
| spellingShingle | Habtamu Fekadu Gemede Toxicity, Mitigation, and Chemical Analysis of Aflatoxins and Other Toxic Metabolites Produced by Aspergillus: A Comprehensive Review Toxins aflatoxins <i>Aspergillus</i> food safety mycotoxins public health mitigation strategies |
| title | Toxicity, Mitigation, and Chemical Analysis of Aflatoxins and Other Toxic Metabolites Produced by Aspergillus: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_full | Toxicity, Mitigation, and Chemical Analysis of Aflatoxins and Other Toxic Metabolites Produced by Aspergillus: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_fullStr | Toxicity, Mitigation, and Chemical Analysis of Aflatoxins and Other Toxic Metabolites Produced by Aspergillus: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Toxicity, Mitigation, and Chemical Analysis of Aflatoxins and Other Toxic Metabolites Produced by Aspergillus: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_short | Toxicity, Mitigation, and Chemical Analysis of Aflatoxins and Other Toxic Metabolites Produced by Aspergillus: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_sort | toxicity mitigation and chemical analysis of aflatoxins and other toxic metabolites produced by aspergillus a comprehensive review |
| topic | aflatoxins <i>Aspergillus</i> food safety mycotoxins public health mitigation strategies |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/17/7/331 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT habtamufekadugemede toxicitymitigationandchemicalanalysisofaflatoxinsandothertoxicmetabolitesproducedbyaspergillusacomprehensivereview |