Etiology and Management of Aflatoxin Contamination

Aflatoxins are potent poisons that contaminate crops in warm regions worldwide and reduce health and economic welfare in several portions of Africa. Crops are contaminated in two phases: First, Aspergillus species infect crops during development; and second, after maturation contamination builds during exposure to warm humid conditions. Identification of the exact fungi causing contamination can provide clues to management strategies. Crops usually are infected by complex mixtures of aflatoxin-producing and closely related fungi. Among these are atoxigenic strains that produce no aflatoxins. In the United States atoxigenic strains are used to reduce contamination. Such technologies also may have value in Africa.