Fungal Infestation Of Food & Hazards

Food grains such as groundnuts,maizes and parboiled rice may get infested with fungus.This, if occurs because of Aspergillus Flavus poses a health risk.One toxin called Aflatoxin is produced by it.Aflatoxin B1 is linked to serious diseases and deaths in India .Ingesting these contaminated grains may cause serious liver disease i.e. hepatoma, a cancer of liver or cirrhosis of liver.
Increased moisture and humidity facilitates fungus growth.The food grains must be stored dried and moisture content be below 10%.If contamination is noticed the food should be discarded.


A molecule of aflatoxin.

Aflatoxin B1

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