Aflatoxin Contamination in Agricultural Crops and Their Eco-Friendly Management- A Review

Abstract

Background: Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus species, including A. flavus, A. parasiticus, and A. nomius. A part of the world's food crops are estimated to be affected by mycotoxins; creating a large economical loss in the developed and developing countries. Aflatoxins represent the main threat worldwide. Result: There was an increased concern about the possibility of the presence of carcinogenic mold metabolites, particularly aflatoxins in food and animal feed products. Although aflatoxins are controlled by regulation in more than 80 countries, their legislation is not yet completely harmonized at the international level. Species of Aspergillus section Flavi including A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius, are known to cause about 25% yield loss in agriculture crops every year. Temperate and tropical conditions are favorable for growth and aflatoxin production by these fungi in stored products. Proper identification, characterization and accurate differentiation of aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic strains of Conclusion: A. flavus are necessary to understand diversity in order to develop proper management strategy. So far many national and international research groups have been tried in order to characterize and control A. flavus growth and aflatoxin production in various crops. In order to provide the current status of aflatoxigenic fungal infection and aflatoxin contamination in groundnut across different agro climatic conditions of India and to develop suitable eco-friendly management strategy