The fluorescence method of detecting aflatoxin-producing strains of Aspergillus flavus and related species utilizes the ultraviolet-induced fluorescence of aflatoxin produced in a modified Czapek's solution agar containing corn steep liquor, HgCl(2), and (NH(4))H(2)PO(4) instead of NaNO(3). The presence of aflatoxin is confirmed by thin-layer chromatography of CHCl(3) extracts of the fluorescin...

This research investigated the optimal conditions of heat and chemical treatment for elimination aflatoxin. NaOH showed highest inhibition percentage (75.44%) Aspergillus flavus growth that was isolated from lowgrade maize. Low-grade maize contaminated with A. treated by varying three factors in levels: concentration (0, 2.5 5% w/v), temperature (25, 50 75°C) time (24, 48 72 h). Aflatoxin remov...

A reduction in the survival of Salmonella typhimurium TA 1530 was observed when the bacteria were incubated with aflatoxin B¡,rat liver microsomes, and a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-generating system. The lethality appeared to depend on the formation of a metabolite of aflatoxin B] by a mixed-function oxygenase system. The killing was very rapid; only 1% of the bacteria...

BACKGROUND Exposure to environmental toxins during embryonic development may lead to epigenetic changes that influence disease risk in later life. Aflatoxin is a contaminant of staple foods in sub-Saharan Africa, is a known human liver carcinogen and has been associated with stunting in infants. METHODS We have measured aflatoxin exposure in 115 pregnant women in The Gambia and examined the D...

This paper presents monitoring data on levels of aflatoxin M1 in the farm-gate milk in Albania. The monitoring included 120 evenly distributed samples collected in winter and summer from various farms all over the country. The levels of aflatoxin M1 were determined using the quantitative thin layer chromatography. On average, the winter milk samples revealed higher concentrations of aflatoxin M...

Combination of aptamers with DNAzymes attracted intense attention for development of DNA-based biosensors for detection of mycotoxins. In the present study a combination of aflatoxin B1 specific aptamer and HRP- (horseradish peroxidase-) mimicking DNAzyme was optimized for detecting aflatoxin B1. Detecting approach is based on the binding affinity of aflatoxin B1 to its specific aptamer and con...

Corn containing aflatoxin can be effectively decontaminated by treatment with gaseous ammonia at atmospheric pressure. Preliminary studies were made of the effect of ammonia level, corn moisture, temperature, and time on the aflatoxin level. Ammonia tolerance tests were carried out on laying hens as were acceptance tests by swine. Toxicity feeding trials with duck/ings, broiler chicks, and trou...

A method has been developed to determine the presence of aflatoxin B1 in the urine of animals (including humans) by utilizing commercial immunochemical kits that can be used in the field. Urine is treated with diatomaceous earth and filtered to clarify the sample; 2-3 ppb aflatoxin B1, corresponding to about 300 ppb in the ingested feed/food, can be detected in the filtered urine without furthe...

Transgenic Bt cotton may have reduced susceptibility to aflatoxin contamination as a result of pink bollworm resistance. During 1995 and 1996, Bt cottonseed from several commercial fields in Arizona contained aflatoxin levels unacceptable for dairy use. Comparison of cottonseed with and without BGYF (bright-green-yellow fluorescence) from one highly contaminated (>6,000 ppb aflatoxin Bj) Bt see...

Residents of Qidong, People's Republic of China, are at high risk for development of hepatocellular carcinoma, in part from consumption of foods contaminated with aflatoxins. Chlorophyllin, a mixture of semisynthetic, water-soluble derivatives of chlorophyll that is used as a food colorant and over-the-counter medicine, has been shown to be an effective inhibitor of aflatoxin hepatocarcinogenes...