Fungi and aflatoxins in rice: occurrence and significance to consumer health

Abstract

Rice is one of the cereals most consumed in Brazil and in the world. Due to the significant impact of rice consumption on the population, studies regarding its quality are of great importance. It is an excellent substrate for fungal growth and mycotoxin production, so when toxigenic fungi find conditions to grow and produce toxins, they produce large quantities. Although the presence of mycotoxins is not common in rice, some previous reports have shown the presence of aflatoxins and aflatoxigenic fungi in rice. Thus the present article is a review concerning the general aspects of rice, its production, and the occurrence of fungi, aflatoxins and other mycotoxins in Brazil and in the world, and also the reduction of aflatoxin during rice processing.

Keywords:
Rice; Production; Aflatoxins; Fungi; Mycotoxins