# Climate Change and Aflatoxin B1 in Agriculture Products: A Systematic Review

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how climate change increases aflatoxin B1 contamination in plant-based foods by weakening plant defenses and promoting fungal growth.

## Contribution

The study systematically reviews the link between climate change and aflatoxin B1 contamination in agriculture products.

## Key findings

- Climate change increases aflatoxin B1 contamination by reducing plant defenses against fungi.
- Higher temperatures and CO2 levels enhance gene expression for mycotoxin synthesis in fungi.
- Increased contamination leads to higher pesticide use and reduced food safety.

## Abstract

The trend toward plant‐based foods is increasing. One of the most important threats to the safety of plant‐based products is aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). There is ample evidence that the incidence of food pollution is increasing with climate change. This systematic review analyzed the available evidence of increased exposure to this dangerous toxin through food and its association with climate change. For this purpose, databases were searched with designed keywords. The full text of 63 manuscripts was fully evaluated. The relationship between climate change and increased pollution with this toxic metabolite has been observed. Stressors associated with climate change lower plant defenses against fungi. Controlling climate change will likely be one of the most important strategies in controlling pollution by this mycotoxin. Therefore, all countries are advised to implement the Paris Agreement commitments.

Climate change mainly involves increasing temperatures and concentrations of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. These changes increase the expression of genes for mycotoxin synthesis, including aflatoxin B1, in fungi. These stressors also lead to reduced plant defenses against fungal infections. As a result, as fungal and insect contamination of crops increases, farmers are using more pesticides. This leads to reduced food safety. The threats posed by climate change require widespread communication. Governments must urgently seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.