Organic Chemical
aflatoxin
af·la·tox·in [ af-luh-tok-sin ]
Subclass of:
Benzopyrans;
Mycotoxins
Definitions related to aflatoxins:
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A group of closely related toxic metabolites that are designated mycotoxins; produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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A group of mycotoxins, which are most commonly produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, and their toxic metabolites that are comprised of a fused coumarin-bis(dihydrofuran) ring structure, with potential acute and chronic toxic effects. Acute exposure to high levels of aflatoxins can cause liver damage. Chronic aflatoxin exposure results in an increased risk for liver cancer potentially caused by DNA intercalation and epoxide-mediated alkylation of nucleobases by aflatoxin metabolites, leading to increased levels of DNA damage, which may cause mutations.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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A harmful substance made by certain types of mold (Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus) that is often found on poorly stored grains and nuts. Consumption of foods contaminated with aflatoxin is a risk factor for primary liver cancer.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Furano-furano-benzopyrans that are produced by ASPERGILLUS from STERIGMATOCYSTIN. They are structurally related to COUMARINS and easily oxidized to an epoxide form to become ALKYLATING AGENTS. Members of the group include AFLATOXIN B1; aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1, aflatoxin G2; AFLATOXIN M1; and aflatoxin M2.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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Aflatoxin, Complex of toxins formed by molds of the genus Aspergillus, which frequently contaminate improperly stored nuts (especially peanuts), grains, meals, and certain other foods. Discovered after an outbreak of "turkey X disease" in England in 1960, aflatoxins may cause liver disease and...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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