What is Aspergillus flavus?
{{italictitle}} {{Speciesbox | image = Aspergillus flavus.jpg | image_caption = A conidiophore of ''A. flavus'' | genus = Aspergillus | species = flavus | authority = [[Johann Heinrich Friedrich Link|Link]] (1809) }} '''''Aspergillus flavus''''' is a potentially dangerous [[pathogen]]. It is a fungus with a very widespread distribution. It grows in [[soil]]s as a [[saprophyte]]. It also grows on [[cereal]] grains, [[legumes]], and tree [[nuts]]. In addition to causing pre-harvest and post-harvest infections, many strains produce [[toxic]] compounds known as [[mycotoxins]]. If eaten, they are toxic to [[mammals]].<ref name=Agrios>{{cite book|last=Agrios|first=George N. |title=Plant pathology |year=2005|publisher= 5th ed, Elsevier Academic Press|isbn=0-12-044565-4|pages=922}}</ref> The toxin produced by this species is called '[[aflotoxin]]'. ''A. flavus'' is a human and animal [[pathogen]]. In mammals, the pathogen can cause [[liver cancer]] if contaminated food is eaten. It also causes [[aspergillosis]] (invasive growth) in people whose [[immune system]] is damaged.<ref name=Keller>{{cite journal|last=Amaike|first=Saori|author2=Nancy P. Keller|title=''Aspergillus flavus''|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_annual-review-of-phytopathology_2011_49/page/107|journal=The Annual Review of Phytopathology|year=2011|volume=49|pages=107–133|doi=10.1146/annurev-phyto-072910-095221|pmid=21513456}}</ref> == How deadly is it? == In 1960 on an English farm, about 100,000 turkeys died. The cause of death was the primary food source, [[peanut]] meal. It was infected with ''A. flavus''. The culture was isolated, grown in pure culture, and a subset of healthy turkeys was infected. The pure culture isolate causes death in the healthy turkeys. There were four toxic chemicals (aflatoxins). Turkey autopsies showed aflatoxins targeted the [[liver]] and either completely killed the tissue cells or induced tumor formation. New standards for the production of food for human consumption were developed, which led to increases in cost.