Lack of Influence of Aflatoxins in the Development of Pellagra

Abstract

Some of the most important plant foods consumed by humans, such as cereals, millets and oil seeds are susceptible to mycotoxin contamination. The highest levels and incidence of contamination are found in tropical and sub-tropical regions, although mycotoxins have also been frequently encountered in temperate zones. Several agricultural commodities have been screened in India for possible occurrence of aflatoxins and to some extent other mycotoxins. Sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) is one of the important food crops in the semiarid regions of India. Sorghum is susceptible to fungal attack and mycotoxin elaboration in conducive climatic conditions. In the recent past, it has been suggested that consumption of mycotoxin contaminated sorghum may be involved in the development of the disease pellagra in sorghum eating population. The present study relates to the metabolic effect of aflatoxins on tryptophan-niacin pathway in rats, which is found to be altered in pellagrins. The experimental evidence suggests that, the effect of aflatoxins on tryptophan-niacin metabolism may be more of a non-specific effect rather than a direct effect as none of the changes seen in nicotinamide nucleotide synthesis are similar to changes seen in pellagrins. Aflatoxins may not have any relationship with the disease pellagra.