What is aflatoxin M1 in milk?
Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is the hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and can be found in milk or milk products obtained from livestock that have ingested contaminated feed (Ardic et al., 2009). AFM1 has a potency approximately one order of magnitude lower than that of AFB1 (Prandini et al., 2009).
How is aflatoxin M1 produced?
Aflatoxin is a mycotoxin produced by molds Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which can contaminate grains, legumes, tree nuts, maize, and groundnuts. In addition, when dairy-producing animals consume aflatoxin-contaminated feed, a metabolite, aflatoxin M1, is excreted in the milk.
What are the human health consequences of aflatoxin M1 secretion in milk?
As AFM1 is secreted in human breast milk, infants and neonates are potentially exposed to the adverse effects of aflatoxins such as growth impairment, underweight, and infectious diseases 12, 13. Therefore, investigating the presence and level of AFM1 in human breast milk is of special concern.
What contains aflatoxin B1?
Aflatoxin B1 is a common contaminant in a variety of foods including peanuts, cottonseed meal, corn, and other grains; as well as animal feeds.
What foods are high in aflatoxin?
Aflatoxins can occur in foods such as groundnuts, tree nuts, maize, rice, figs and other dried foods, spices, crude vegetable oils and cocoa beans, as a result of fungal contamination before and after harvest.
Do Almonds contain aflatoxin?
According to the report, aflatoxins were found in high concentrations in peanuts, pistachios, dried figs and hazelnuts. However, aflatoxin concentrations have also been reported in nutmeg, chilli, almonds, pecan nuts, sesame, dried fruits and rice.
What is M1 chemical?
The M1 was a United States chemical landmine. It developed in 1939, and consisted of a one gallon (4.5 liter) gasoline can filled with 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) of mustard gas agent.
How does aflatoxin occur?
People can be exposed to aflatoxins by eating contaminated plant products (such as peanuts) or by consuming meat or dairy products from animals that ate contaminated feed. Farmers and other agricultural workers may be exposed by inhaling dust generated during the handling and processing of contaminated crops and feeds.
Is aflatoxin harmful to humans?
Large doses of aflatoxins lead to acute poisoning (aflatoxicosis) that can be life threatening, usually through damage to the liver. Outbreaks of acute liver failure (jaundice, lethargy, nausea, death), identified as aflatoxicosis, have been observed in human populations since the 1960s.
What is the most toxic aflatoxin?
Aflatoxin B1 is considered the most toxic and is produced by both Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Aflatoxin M1 is present in the fermentation broth of Aspergillus parasiticus, but it and aflatoxin M2 are also produced when an infected liver metabolizes aflatoxin B1 and B2.
Can aflatoxin be reversed?
(PhysOrg.com) — LLNL researchers have found that a small dose of chlorophyll or chlorophyllin, found in green leafy vegetables, could reverse the effects of aflatoxin poisoning, a potent, naturally occurring carcinogenic.