The effect of climate conditions on aflatoxin contamination of cereal grains and feeds

Abstract

Production and consumption of healthy food occur as the necessity of the modern life habits. The reduced risk of diseases improves the quality of life. Feed safety is a priority trend in all process of animal production. However, toxigenic fungal species and their secondary metabolites (mycotoxins) are the common feed contaminants. The aflatoxins and the producing Aspergillus species section Flavi in cereal grains and feeds has emerged as a serious concern with potential health hazards in humans and animals. This paper aimed to give an overview on of the effect of climatic factors on Aspergillus and aflatoxin contamination of cereals and feeds in agro-ecological conditions of Serbia and other European countries. Since the reduction of health risks and diseases in the livestock as consequences of aflatoxins presence in feed have become the priority tasks in feed safety control strategy thus the aim of this review has also been to recommend some of the measures for preventing their adverse effect.