Defenses against aflatoxin carcinogenesis in humans.

Aspects of work on aflatoxin mainly from the author's studies are discussed, emphasizing procedures, strategies and insights related to protection against aflatoxin carcinogenesis in man due to transmission in the food chain. Five lines of defense are discussed. First, is the interfacing of the farm animal as a biologic filter between contaminated crop (feed) and human food derived from animal products. Second, is chemical detoxification of meals with ammonia and of contaminated milk by ultraviolet light. Third is prevention of mold growth and aflatoxin elaboration with ammonium carbonate for potential application during storage and drying of agricultural products. Fourth, is the development of ultrasensitive analytical methods for aflatoxins with structural proof of identity. And, fifth are natural defenses related to the role of hydroxylation of mammalian metabolism in detoxification, especially the pathway to aflatoxin Q1, a major detoxifying mechanism in primates, and the epoxidation pathway and its relation to prevention of aflatoxin residue transmission into edible tissues.