Aflatoxin: A known food carcinogen
Aflatoxin viewed under a microscope
As cancer continues to pose health damage on many individuals as well as being one of the leading cause of death around the world, it is of utmost importance to take cognizance of our lifestyles which includes daily diet/food.
Cancer, like we know have no specific cause but there are risk factors that trigger it's growth and spread. A known trigger for cancer is 'carcinogen'.
carcinogen is a chemical, physical, biological or any substance that promotes/causes cancer. An example of chemical carcinogen is aflatoxin.
Aflatoxin is described as a mycotoxin(fungal/mold toxin) which is produced by species of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. They are found in stored farm produce such as corn, peanuts, groundnuts, beans, wheat, rice, nuts and grains.
Aflatoxins are of at least 14 types with Aflatoxin B1 type considered as the most toxic which thrives best in warm temperatures and high humidity. The organism survives in spores and are being carried by wind or even insects to growing crop. However, the organism gains entrance into the plant(seed), therefore leading to contamination of the crop and decrease in production of agricultural products.
nuts and grains
Mechanism of action of Aflatoxin in the cause of liver cancer
Aflatoxins are suspected to cause liver cancer and other liver diseases in humans and animals.
Aflatoxins are acutely hepatotoxic. The underlying mechanism is widespread and non-specific interactions between aflatoxins or their activated metabolites and various cell proteins, leading to disruption of basic metabolic processes and protein synthesis that, in turn, can cause cell death.
Aflatoxins also are genotoxic. As a consequence of DNA adduction, mutations occur during DNA repair or replication and, if involving critical genes, they can significantly alter cell functions.
Though classified as a human carcinogen, there is a body of evidence that aflatoxin requires the presence of other factors to induce liver cancer. In this regard, the role of hepatitis B as a cofactor for aflatoxin has gained much attention, as infection with hepatitis B virus is common in areas where aflatoxin exposure is high, such as Africa and Southeast Asia. Source
Why is it difficult to get rid off aflatoxin from foods?
Aflatoxin molds are not entirely killed off even when they are processed, cooked or roasted. This is due to the presence of spores.
Spores in part owe their success to their thick walls, reserve energy source, low metabolic rate and ability to withstand environmental stress that enables them to survive during dispersal.
Source
Ways of handling foods and avoiding aflatoxins
- Don't keep grains and nuts for long periods of time
- Buy the freshest ingredients
- Store grains, corn and nuts in dry and cool places to prevent mold growth. You may as well freeze them.
- Consume detoxifying vegetables like carrots to reduce carcinogenic effects.
- Grains must be kept dry, free of damage and insects.
Since Aflatoxins survive and thrive in environments with high moistures and warm temperatures, the level of contamination may vary with certain geographical locations, and how these crops are grown, handled, processed or stored matters a lot.
Compiled by @starbele for @euronation
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Quite educative post. I heard about aflatoxin for the first time yesterday morning, but it was difficult to understand given the less reasonable explanations i got.
Aflatoxin as explained by @starbele for @euronation will probably be the best i'll know. Thanks for the explanations about our well being.
I'm Tomfreeman!
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Learning must always take place... That for that superb lecture.
Its very important; lets take heed to eliminate cancer in any way we can
Great!!!! what a knowledgeable post, I really learnt a lot from this. Thanks for sharing. still a newbie.