Question

Aflatoxin is produced by
A. Aspergillus flavus
B. Penicillium notatum
C. Both A and B
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Aflatoxins are poisonous carcinogens and mutagens that are produced by certain molds. Two species of fungi are mainly responsible for producing the aflatoxins: Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus.

Complete answer:
As the name suggests, it is some toxin released from some organism. Two species of fungi are mainly responsible for producing the aflatoxins:
- Aspergillus flavus, and
- A. parasiticus.

- Aspergillus flavus is a mycotoxigenic fungi that possesses the ability to produce aflatoxins while penicillium notatum produces a substance capable of killing many of the common bacteria that infect humans, this substance is penicillin.

- Penicillin was the first antibiotic which was discovered accidentally. So, Aspergillus Niger produces aflatoxin. The four major aflatoxins produced are B1, B2, G1, and G2. The production of the major toxins are a result of particular strains of A. flavus. Aflatoxin B1 is the most toxic and potent hepatocarcinogen natural compound characterized.

- A. flavus also produces other toxic compounds including sterigmatocystin, cyclopiazonic acid, kojic acid, β-nitropropionic acid, aspertoxin, aflatrem, gliotoxin, and aspergillic acid. It can cause infectious pneumonia. Infectious pneumonia can be life-threatening in people with compromised immune systems.

- Aspergillus flavus is found globally as a saprophyte in soils and also causes disease on many important agriculture crops.

Hence, The correct answer is option (A).

Additional information:
Aspergillus is green or yellow-green mold. It mainly grows on corn in the farm or during storage. It can also grow on dead leaves, stored grain, compost piles, or in other decaying vegetation.

Note: Aflatoxin can cause acute hepatitis, immunosuppression, hepatocellular carcinoma, and neutropenia. In immunocompromised and viral hepatitis, there is a high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.