aflatoxin levels are highest
during hot, dry summers. The prime conditions for
the fungus to produce toxin are warm (>70°F) nights
during the latter stages of grain fill (August/September)
in a period of drought.
The toxins are produced inside the corn kernels
and their presence can be determined only by specific
analytical tests.
Aflatoxins are very potent compounds that cause
a variety of human and animal health problems.
On rare occasions, livestock can die from ingesting
aflatoxin-contaminated feed. Pets also have died on
several occasions in the past 20 years. Most commonly,
aflatoxin reduces the feed efficiency and reproductivity
of livestock. It can suppress the immune system of
animals, leading to more frequent occurrence of
infectious diseases. Unfortunately, the most abundant
aflatoxin, aflatoxin B1, is a carcinogen