What is the carcinogenic form of aflatoxins?

What is the carcinogenic form of aflatoxins?

• A. B1
• B. B2
• C. G1
• D. M1

Answer: (A)

Aflatoxin B1 is the most carcinogenic form. In the liver, it is metabolically activated by cytochrome P450 enzymes to a reactive epoxide (AFB1-8,9-epoxide) that binds DNA, forming adducts and causing mutations such as in the p53 gene. These DNA changes can drive the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, which is why B1 is regarded as the primary carcinogenic aflatoxin. Other forms exist, like M1, which is a hydroxylated metabolite found in milk and generally poses a lower carcinogenic risk, while B2 and G1 are also toxic but not as strongly linked to cancer as B1.

Aflatoxin B1 is the most carcinogenic form. In the liver, it is metabolically activated by cytochrome P450 enzymes to a reactive epoxide (AFB1-8,9-epoxide) that binds DNA, forming adducts and causing mutations such as in the p53 gene. These DNA changes can drive the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, which is why B1 is regarded as the primary carcinogenic aflatoxin. Other forms exist, like M1, which is a hydroxylated metabolite found in milk and generally poses a lower carcinogenic risk, while B2 and G1 are also toxic but not as strongly linked to cancer as B1.