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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Biological Control of Pests Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #268582
Title: Introduction to the Toxin Reviews Special Issue "Aspergillus, Aflatoxin, Cyclopiazonic Acid, and Biological Control"

Author
item Abbas, Hamed

Submitted to: Toxin Reviews
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/24/2011
Publication Date: 7/19/2011
Citation: Abbas, H. K. 2011. Introduction to the Toxin Reviews Special Issue "Aspergillus, Aflatoxin, Cyclopiazonic Acid, and Biological Control". Toxin Reviews. 30(3)(4):31-32.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This special issue of Toxin Reviews, “Aspergillus, Aflatoxin, CPA and Biological Control of Aflatoxin", is different from previous publications because it focuses on solving the problem of mycotoxin contamination through the use of biological control strains of Aspergillus, which is applicable to the FIRST DO NO HARM concept. The goal of the reviews included in this special issue is to bring different points of view to bear on this topic and to provide the latest available information on recent research on the use of non-toxigenic A. flavus strains as biological control agents of aflatoxins in agricultural crops, especially corn. Seventeen outstanding mycotoxin researchers, well recognized nationally and internationally for their work on mycotoxins, are presenting their perspective on this topic by contributing to this special issue. The issue starts with Dr. Abbas and associates covering biological parameters that influence the selection of the biological control agents. Dr. King and associates review the current risk assessment associated with biological control approaches for aflatoxins. Dr. Miller and associates address novel research on the toxicity of CPA at the cellular level in poults in a series of outstanding research articles. Drs. Accinelli and Abbas review current research on a new commercially available product called "Bioplastic", useful in formulating biological control agents for aflatoxins. Drs. Chang and Ehrlich discuss the role of genetic diversity of A. flavus strains in regard to CPA biosynthesis. These articles should help researchers in this and related fields understand the current state of research on biological control agents as tools for addressing mycotoxin contamination in foods and feeds. Also, they should be of great benefit to growers and the pesticide industry in providing better control of aflatoxins, thus allowing for better food and feed safety and also a reduction of economic losses for growers.