The Effect of Environmental Factors on Mould Counts and AFB1 Toxin Production by in Maize.

The toxins produced by can significantly inhibit the use of maize. As a result of climate change, toxin production is a problem not only in tropical and subtropical areas but in an increasing number of European countries, including Hungary. The effect of meteorological factors and irrigation on mould colonization and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) mycotoxin production by were investigated in natural conditions, as well as the inoculation with a toxigenic isolate in a complex field experiment for three years.

Pre-Harvest Modelling and Mitigation of Aflatoxins in Maize in a Changing Climatic Environment-A Review.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are harmful secondary metabolites produced by various moulds, among which is the major AF-producer fungus. These mycotoxins have carcinogenic or acute toxigenic effects on both humans and food producing animals and, therefore, the health risks and also the potential economic damages mounted by them have led to legal restrictions, and several countries have set maximum allowable limits for AF contaminations in food and feed. While colonization of food and feed and AF production by are highly supported by the climatic conditions in tropical and subtropical geographic regions, countries in the temperate climate zones are also increasingly exposed to AF-derived health risks due to climate change.