Production Mechanisms and Biosynthesis of Aflatoxin

Dear Colleagues,

Mycotoxins are frequent contaminants of foods and feeds around the world. Among the hundreds of known mycotoxins, aflatoxins are probably the most important due to their toxic effects (carcinogenic in human), their wide and increasing distribution due to climate changes, as well as their economic consequences (withdrawal of food batches due to international regulations). The biosynthesis of aflatoxins is complex, involving a cluster of 30 genes including two internal regulators. Moreover, the activation of this biosynthetic pathway interacts with many other genes and cellular pathways that are, to date, only partially known and understood. Deciphering the mechanisms underlying the synthesis and control of aflatoxin production could help to identify new strategies to control the contamination of foods and feeds. Indeed, understanding the interconnection between fungal cell biology and signaling and aflatoxin synthesis could lead to the identification of new targets to specifically control toxin production. Such new strategies could represent sustainable and ecologically friendly ways to ensure food safety and preserve biodiversity. 

The focus of this Special Issue of Toxins is on the understanding of the biosynthetic pathways leading to aflatoxin production at both the cellular and molecular levels, as well as ways to control this production by interfering with biosynthetic processes.

Prof. Dr. Jean-Denis Bailly
Guest Editor

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