Mycotoxins are the metabolites of fungus and are reported to contaminate nearly 25% of the food produced worldwide. The mycotoxins of most significance are the aflatoxins due to their severe health implications and their prevalence in food commodities on a larger scale. Aflatoxins are produced by certain species of fungi the most prominent among which are Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nominous. Food commodities of African and South Asian countries are especially reported to have aflatoxins well beyond the allowable limits but due to the global trade of food commodities developed countries are also prone towards the perils of aflatoxins. Moreover, climate changes may have a substantial impact on the distribution and global prevalence of aflatoxins in the near future.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified the aflatoxins as group 1 category carcinogen. Aflatoxins are also reported as teratogenic, mutagenic, growth retardant, immunosuppressant and may also cause nervous system and reproductive system disorders. Preventive approaches involving good manufacturing from 'farm to fork' are the major focus of the current food industry.

The aim of our book is to provide readers with the most recent data and up-to-date studies from aflatoxins research, with specific focuses on (i) the impact of aflatoxins on human health, (ii) new approaches by the researchers from different parts of the world to degrade aflatoxins and (iii) potential preventive approaches that can significantly lessen the burden of aflatoxins in food products

 

Dr. Khalid Rehman Hakeem is a Professor at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He has completed his Ph.D. (Botany) from Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India in 2011. Dr. Hakeem has worked as Post Doctorate Fellow in 2012 and Fellow Researcher (Associate Prof.) from 2013-2016 at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia. His specialty is Plant Eco-Physiology, Molecular biology, Plant-Microbe-soil interactions, Medicinal plant research and Environmental Sciences and so farfar, has edited and authored more than 25 60 books with Springer International, Academic Press (Elsevier) etc. He has also to his credit more than 110 135 research publications in peer reviewed international journals, including 40 60 book chapters in edited volumes with international publishers. Dr Hakeem is the recipient of many national and international awards and fellowships.
Prof. Carlos A. F. Oliveira is a Professor at the Department of Food Engineering, School of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. He holds M. Sc. degree in Public Health and has done Ph.D in Public Health. He has over 30 years of teaching experience and is currently teaching Applied Microbiology to graduate students of the Food  EngineeringFood Engineering Program at FZEA/USP, Brazil. He is an editorial board member of numerous renowned journals. Prof. Carlos has published almost 180 articles, book, chapters, etc. and has an H-index of 28 with 2077 citations.
Dr. Amir Ismail is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Food Science & Nutrition, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. His research focuses on the analysis of Aflatoxin M1 and Heavy Metals in food supply.