Location: Responsive Agricultural Food Systems Research
Project Number: 3093-42000-001-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: Apr 25, 2023
End Date: Apr 24, 2028
Objective:
Develop methodologies and technologies that prevent and/or defend against the presence of aflatoxin in corn grown in the USA.
Approach:
Aflatoxins belong to the general class of mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus fungi. These fungi are ubiquitous in many soils where corn is grown in the United States. As secondary metabolites aflatoxins are a serious human and animal health problem affecting short and long-term health, trade and export markets of corn-based products. When consumed in low dosages over prolonged periods, aflatoxins may lead to poor nutrient absorption, retarded child growth and development by contributing to malnutrition, increase the incidence and severity of infectious diseases, and suppress the immune system. Chronic exposure is a major risk factor for liver cancer (hepatotoxic carcinoma) in particular, in areas where hepatitis B virus infection is endemic. Ingestion of higher doses of aflatoxin can result in acute aflatoxicosis, which exhibits as hepatotoxicity, or in severe cases, complete liver failure and subsequent death. Corn is a dietary staple in the United States and is one of the cereal crops most susceptible to infection by A. flavus and contamination by aflatoxin. Contamination of corn with aflatoxin continues to be a major issue for industry, in-particular during the on-farm preharvest phase. Two approaches are the development of aflatoxin resistant corn varieties, utilizing various genomic strategies such as classical breeding and interference RNA. However, to date, the most successful is the biological control approach through the application of nontoxigenic strains of A. flavus and A. parasiticus to soils where they competitively exclude naturally toxigenic strains. This research addresses issues outlined in the 2021-2025 NP108 Action Plan, under Problem Statement 5. Develop, Validate and Implement Intervention and Control Strategies to Reduce or Eliminate Pathogens in the Food System.
