Chemistry and control of aflatoxin.

Discovery of the aflatoxins focused attention on an old problem and gave tremendous impetus to research on mycotoxins. This resulted in unparalleled collaboration of specialists in diverse scientific disciplines and brought to hear the most sophisticated tools and techniques. The chemical structures of eight afiatoxins have been established. Several have been synthesized chemically and their biosynthesis elucidated. Hundreds of papers have appeared describing the biochemical alterations associated with administration of aflatoxins to biological test systems, including a variety of laboratory and farm animals. Accurate methods for estimation of aflatoxins and rapid screening methods for their detection in different commodities are being developed. Much information has been obtained concerning the incidence of aflatoxins and practical methods of preventing, or at least minimizing, mould growth and production of aflatoxins in various agricultural commodities. Methods of physical removal of aflatoxin contaminated seeds or kernels, of removal of afiatoxins by extraction, e.g. with polar solvents, and of destruction as with chemical reagents will also be discussed.