Aflatoxins : Biochemistry, Toxicology, Public Health, Policies and Modern Methods of Analysis

Aflatoxins are a group of highly toxic mycotoxins, which naturally occur as fungal secondary metabolites, and can be detected in food and feed. "Aflatoxins: Biochemistry, Toxicology, Public Health, Policies and Modern Methods of Analysis" discusses general issues that occur by this mycotoxin contamination in foods and feeds. The book is divided into 9 chapters that summarize aflatoxins'' biological effects on human health, methods for their determination, and strategies for risk mitigation and legislation. The first part covers the biochemical effects of aflatoxins on human and animal health, as well as techniques for biomonitoring. The chapters in the second part describe all the physicochemical and biological assays for aflatoxin determination and analysis. In addition, special attention is given also in the predictive modeling of Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxins production. Furthermore, a chapter is dedicated to the use of metabolomics in Aspergillus research. In the last part, the book goes on examining the regulatory provisions for aflatoxin contamination control. The book is intended to provide an update to scientists, industry professionals and the general public in the recent advances within the field of aflatoxins.