Aflatoxins and Their Detection in Animal Tissues and Fluids

Abstract

The aflatoxins are a group of toxic fungal metabolites that may be produced by the organisms Aspergillus flavus or A. parasiticus growing in animal feeds. When consumed, these metabolites or their metabolic products in the animal may occur as tissue or fluid residues in the animal. This report briefly reviews the effects of aflatoxins on animals, the metabolism of aflatoxins in animals and at least one method is described that is useful for the detection and quantitation of aflatoxins or their metabolites in tissues, milk, rumen contents, blood, bile, urine, and feces. Some problems encountered by the authors in conducting these analyses are also discussed.