Aflatoxin: Toxicity to Dairy Cattle and Occurrence in Milk and Milk Products - A Review

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Aflatoxins are toxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced by some common aspergilli during growth on feeds, foods or laboratory media. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a decaketide (C20-polyketide) which is synthesized by the mold from acetate units via the polyketide pathway. Methionine contributes the methoxy-methyl group. Six known intermediate compounds in the biosynthesis of AFB1 include norsolorinic acid, averantin, averufin, versiconal hemiacetal acetate, versicolorin A and sterigmatocystin. Other aflatoxins (B2, B2a, G1, G2 and G2a) appear to be conversion products of AFB1. When aflatoxins, and in particular AFB1, occur in feed and are consumed by dairy cattle, a variety of symptoms can occur, which includes unthriftiness, anorexia and decreased milk production. Changes in amounts of enzymes and other blood constituents also result from ingestion of AFB1. The hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidase system of the cow converts some of the ingested AFB1 into aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), which is excreted ...

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: