The primary health concern associated with Aspergillus flavus is its production of aflatoxins. These mycotoxins can lead to a variety of health issues, including acute poisoning, liver damage, and immunosuppression. Prolonged exposure to aflatoxins has been strongly linked to the development of liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aflatoxins can also cause mutations in the p53 gene, a critical tumor suppressor, thereby increasing the risk of cancer.
