The most commonly known mycotoxins (Table 1) are the aflatoxins due to the fact that
they represent one of the most potential carcinogenic substances known so far. They were
rated as Class 1 human carcinogens by the IARC (International Agency for Research on
Cancer). Aflatoxins are produced by many strains of A. flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus
on many different commodities, including cereals, figs, oilseeds, nuts, tobacco, and others
(Diener et al., 1987). Aflatoxin B1 is moreover considered the main hepatocarcinogen in animals,
although effects vary with species, age, sex, and general nutritional conditions. Trout,
ducklings and pigs are highly susceptible, ruminants being less susceptible