Aflatoxin in food and feed: occurrence, legislation and inactivation by physical methods

Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites of the molds Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasitions. They are highly toxic, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic compounds found to contaminate a wide variety of important agricultural products such as peanuts, maize, rice and cottonseed. Aflatoxins are found in many countries, especially in tropical and subtropical regions where conditions of temperature and humidity are optimum for growth of the molds and for production of the toxin. Removal or inactivation of aflatoxin in food and feedstuffs is a major global concern. Aflatoxins can be detoxified or removed from contaminated foods and feeds by physical, chemical and biological methods. This article reviews some aspects of aflatoxins concerning their occurrence in food and feedstuffs, legislation and detoxification by physical methods. The physical methods include solvent extraction, adsorption, heat treatment and irradiation.