title: Aflatoxins and food pathogens: impact of biologically active aflatoxins and their control strategies.
abstract: Globally disease outbreaks as a result of the consumption of contaminated food and feedstuffs are a regular primary problem. The foremost elements contributing to contamination are microorganisms, particularly fungi, which produce low-molecular weight secondary metabolites, with demonstrated toxic properties that are referred to as mycotoxins. Aflatoxins contaminate agricultural commodities and may cause sickness or fatality in humans and animals. Moreover, poor conditions of storage and a deficiency in regulatory measures in food quality control aggravate the main issue. For that reason, mycotoxin-related illness of nutrition represents a major health hazard for local populations. Government policies should make regulations aiming to avoid the entry of aflatoxins into food stuffs. For consumer safety, control and management strategies should be developed and implemented by regulatory authorities. There is the need for attention from farmers, scientists, government and collaborative minds throughout the country to ensure aflatoxin-free food. The present review is informative not only for health-conscious consumers, but also for relevant authorities with respect to paving the way for future research aiming to fill the existing gaps in our knowledge with regard to mycotoxins and food security. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru-570006, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Sharanaiah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Umesha
authors.affiliation: Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru-570006, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Honnayakanahalli Marichenne Gowda
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Manukumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru-570006, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Bhadvelu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chandrasekhar
authors.affiliation: Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru-570006, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Prahlad
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shivakumara
authors.affiliation: Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru-570006, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Jayanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shiva Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru-570006, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Sri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raghava
authors.affiliation: Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru-570006, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Prakasha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Avinash
authors.affiliation: Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru-570006, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Marahel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shirin
authors.affiliation: Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru-570006, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Tumkur R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Bharathi
authors.affiliation: Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru-570006, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Sollepura B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Rajini
authors.affiliation: Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru-570006, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Murali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nandhini
authors.affiliation: Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru-570006, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Govinda Gowda
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Vinaya Rani
authors.affiliation: Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru-570006, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Mohankumar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shobha
authors.affiliation: Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru-570006, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Harishchandra S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Prakash
mesh_terms: D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D063427:Food Quality; D005658:Fungi / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000348:Aflatoxins; D009183:Mycotoxins
keywords: Aspergillus spp.; aflatoxins; biotechnology; farmers; food-safety