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Annual report of the national institute of nutrition, hyderabad, 1984–1985
International Biodetetioration 23 (1987) 127-130
Book Reviews
Annual Report of the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, 1984-85, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India, 1986. 150 pp. Although most of the investigative studies described in this wellproduced report have little connection with biodeterioration or biodegradation, the report contains a section outlining the work of the Indian Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre. This gives a valuable insight into continuing investigations of contamination of home-produced foodstuffs with mycotoxins, and the attendant health risks. Studies are described which indicate that aflatoxin contamination of spices results mainly from poor harvesting and handling procedures among small-scale growers and merchants, and that dietary intake of aflatoxins via spices is minimal when compared to that in staples. However, one of a number of typographical errors in the text (fortunately not repeated in the relevant table) has resulted in quotation of a daily intake of aflatoxin in spices which would be more than sufficient to cause fatal aflatoxicosis. Investigations of the possible role of mycotoxins in the niacin deficiency causing pellagra in populations where maize and sorghum are the staples have so far pointed to a generalized effect of aflatoxin and T-2 toxin on the metabolism of experimental animals rather than a specific effect on tryptophan-niacin metabolism. An ELISA method for detection of aflatoxin is summarized, and brief mention is made of developmental work on a similar method for T-2. Other studies reported include aninvestigation of the inhibition of spore germination and growth in mycotoxic fungi by lectens from various seeds, and the production and toxicological evaluation of microbial lipid for use as a substitute for conventional edible oils which are in short supply in India. B. Flannigan 127 International Biodeterioration (23) (1987) @ Elsevier England, 1987. Printed in Great Britain.
Applied
Science
Publishers
Ltd.
Book Reviews
Annual Report of the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, 1984-85, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India, 1986. 150 pp. Although most of the investigative studies described in this wellproduced report have little connection with biodeterioration or biodegradation, the report contains a section outlining the work of the Indian Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre. This gives a valuable insight into continuing investigations of contamination of home-produced foodstuffs with mycotoxins, and the attendant health risks. Studies are described which indicate that aflatoxin contamination of spices results mainly from poor harvesting and handling procedures among small-scale growers and merchants, and that dietary intake of aflatoxins via spices is minimal when compared to that in staples. However, one of a number of typographical errors in the text (fortunately not repeated in the relevant table) has resulted in quotation of a daily intake of aflatoxin in spices which would be more than sufficient to cause fatal aflatoxicosis. Investigations of the possible role of mycotoxins in the niacin deficiency causing pellagra in populations where maize and sorghum are the staples have so far pointed to a generalized effect of aflatoxin and T-2 toxin on the metabolism of experimental animals rather than a specific effect on tryptophan-niacin metabolism. An ELISA method for detection of aflatoxin is summarized, and brief mention is made of developmental work on a similar method for T-2. Other studies reported include aninvestigation of the inhibition of spore germination and growth in mycotoxic fungi by lectens from various seeds, and the production and toxicological evaluation of microbial lipid for use as a substitute for conventional edible oils which are in short supply in India. B. Flannigan 127 International Biodeterioration (23) (1987) @ Elsevier England, 1987. Printed in Great Britain.
Applied
Science
Publishers
Ltd.