Aflatoxins are among the most highly carcinogenic materials known. Individual kernels may have 300,000 to 600,000 ppb with adjacent non-infected kernels having 4,000 ppb. This is enough aflatoxin to be distributed among 30,000 kernels such that each kernel would be at the tolerance level. Chronic exposure to aflatoxin has lowered feed efficiency, depressed the immune system, and reduced reproductive efficiency. Aflatoxin alters ruminal function by decreasing cellulose digestion, vola tile fatty acid formation, proteolysis and motility.
Corn is the grain most susceptible to aflatoxins contamination in the United States.
Aflatoxins are controlled at the post-harvest stage by detection and removal, blending with uncontaminated grain until a 20 ppb level is attained, and by ammoniation of contaminated grain . In maize, aflatoxins are produced primarily by Aspergillus flavus and to some extent by Aspergillus parasitica. Aflatoxins are produced by other Aspergillus species, and a variety of crop s, especially peanuts and other nut crops are affected. In maize, aflatoxins are produced primarily by Aspergillus flavus and to some extent by Aspergillus parasitica . Aflatoxins are produced by other Aspergillus species, and a variety of crops, especially peanuts and other nut crops are affected.