Climate change is increasing mycotoxins in maize.

Climate change plays a role in boosting food borne diseases especially mycotoxicosis associated with cereals ,nuts and some spices. The extreme increase in temperature is one factor causing this poisoning. Aflatoxin B1 ,the deadliest of the mycotoxins linked to liver cancer in animals and man is produced by aspergillus which grows in maize,cottonseed,peanut sorghum e.t.c. According to recent study,an increase in temperature of about 2 degree will provide a conducive environment for aflatoxin B1 contamination of maize.When the temperature increases in cool or temperate climates, the relevant countries may become more liable to aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are produced mainly by A. flavus and by Aspergillus parasiticus, and can be present in a variety of feed and food crops. Tropical and subtropical areas, between 40N and 40S latitude, are the most vulnerable to Aspergillus infection and aflatoxin contamination. Climate change effects will influence fungal infections of crops and mycotoxin production of the earlier mentioned species in various ways, with many interacting effects. The most relevant climatic factors are believed to be temperature, humidity and precipitation . An increase of temperature in a certain area will thus directly affect the presence and the abundance of the species in crops grown in this area more