65 Years On from Aflatoxin Discovery

This Special Issue recognizes the enormous contributions that Dr. John D. Groopman has made in the broad field of aflatoxin research. The issue includes 8 research/review articles focused on various aspects of aflatoxin toxicology, including a brief introduction and history of the past 65 years of research on aflatoxin, an article that describes the biochemical basis for species differences in metabolism and susceptibility to aflatoxins; a review of the epidemiology of aflatoxin carcinogenesis in populations across the globe; an original research article focused on the unique and distinct mutational spectrum of aflatoxin B1 and a 'sister' mycotoxin, sterigmatocystin; a review that discusses the challenges with assessing the potential impact of dietary aflatoxin exposure on childhood development in under-resourced areas of the world; a review of approaches to reducing AFB1 production, growth of Aspergillus on food crops, and modifying host resistance to aflatoxin contamination; a review of approaches to decrease the bioavailability of aflatoxins in food and feed via administration of binding agents; and a discussion of new approaches to aflatoxin mitigation using artificial intelligence. The Special Issue also includes an Editorial summarizing the contents of the Special Issue, and an obituary for Dr. Thomas W. Kensler, co-editor of the Special Edition, who died mid-way through the completion of the Special Issue.