Research strategy and aflatoxin biosynthesis

(2003 Japanese Association of Mycotoxicology Achievement Award)

Abstract

Aflatoxins are toxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolites that are produced primarily by certain strains of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. Contamination of crops with aflatoxins can have very serious effects on the health of both animals and humans. I have conducted research on aflatoxins for approximately 18 years in order to elucidate aflatoxin biosynthetic mechanisms; the present work is a review of this research.