Chapters authored
Aflatoxins: Food Safety, Human Health Hazards and Their Prevention
Aflatoxins (AFTs) are group of secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus, A. nomius, and Emericella nidulans. AFTs contaminate foods, feeds, other raw ingredients used to produce them and that pose a significant threat to human health. These toxins designated as aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), aflatoxin G1 (AFG1), and aflatoxin G2 (AFG2), aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and aflatoxin M2 (AFM2) are hydroxylated metabolites form of AFB1 and AFB2 are known as difuranocoumarin compounds. Naturally, these AFs have carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic effects and caused several metabolic disorders such as aflatoxicosis in domestic animals and humans worldwide. For the increasing in cancer incidences these risk factors are liable. AFB1 is 1000 times more potent hepatocarcinogen found in food then benzo (α) pyrene carcinogen. This chapter offers contamination sources, effects and their controlling approaches to confirm the food safety.
Part of the book: Aflatoxins
Detection of Phytopathogens in Agricultural Crops Using Nanodiagnostic Techniques
One of the main things restricting yields of crops is diseases that affect plants. Which continue to be the major agricultural threat in the globe and drastically reduce yields of crops internationally, creating serious issues for the availability of food. Despite the fact that chemical-based medication persists as the main tactic for lowering the incidence of agricultural ailments, their frequent usage can make the microorganisms less likely to spread. Consequently, effective screening techniques for the immediate detection of plant-borne pathogens in the initial phases of infection have becoming vital to preserving sustainable farming and adequate nutrition. Quantum dots (QDs), nanoparticles, and nanotechnology have become crucial instruments for the rapid and highly accurate assessment of a specific biochemical marker. Tools including such as biosensors, QDs, nanostructured platforms, nanoimaging, and nanopore DNA sequencing have an opportunity to enhance infection detection’s accuracy, precision, and efficiency. They can also make rapid analysis easier and be utilized for crop protection and high-quality monitoring. Additionally, nanodiagnostic tool technology enables professionals to assist producers in avoiding the emergence of pandemics by swiftly and simply identifying potentially hazardous pathogenic organisms in crops.
Part of the book: Challenges in Plant Disease Detection and Recent Advancements