A new study from Argentina reveals that Roundup herbicide enhances the growth of aflatoxin-producing fungi, lending an explanation for the alarming increase in fungal toxins recently discovered in U.S corn, and revealing another way in which GM farming is seriously undermining food quality.
Influence of herbicide glyphosate on growth and aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus section Flavi strains isolated from soil on in vitro assay.
Find Full Study Here: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Authors
Barberis CL, Carranza CS, Chiacchiera SM, Magnoli CE
Abstract
The effect of six glyphosate concentrations on growth rate and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production by Aspergillus section Flavi strains under different water activity (aW) on maize-based medium was investigated. In general, the lag phase decreased as glyphosate concentration increased and all the strains showed the same behavior at the different conditions tested. The glyphosate increased significantly the growth of all Aspergillus section Flavi strains in different percentages with respect to control depending on pesticide concentration. At 5.0 and 10 mM this fact was more evident; however significant differences between both concentrations were not observed in most strains. Aflatoxin B1 production did not show noticeable differences among different pesticide concentrations assayed at all aW in both strains. This study has shown that these Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus strains are able to grow effectively and produce aflatoxins in high nutrient status media over a range of glyphosate concentrations under different water activity conditions.
Glyphosate is an herbicide, which means it kills plants. It does not kill fungus. In fact, very high amounts can stimulate the growth of some fungi.
However, it’s use on crops will not cause dangerous amounts of aflatoxin.
It is precisely the fact that glyphosate stimulates fungal growth that should be the concern. If you read the users manual for many (if not all) of the glyphosate products available to farmers you will see that Monsanto are promoting its use at full strength mix and reduced strength mix, to be applied to standing crops of cereals ( wheat barley oats etc) up to within 7 days of harvesting, under the AUDACIOUS pretext that the application will promote ‘more even ripening and therefore drying to the key 17% moisture content which is required in store to prevent the growth of fungus’. I used to spray a lot of chemicals on a farm in Hampshire UK in the early 80’s, including Roundup ‘pre-harvest’ but this was to kill any wild oats or couch grass that was present in the crop. The ‘harvest interval’ in those days was at least 14 days if not more. So in the ensuing period Monsanto have got the harvest interval down by over a week, and are actually recommending use of Roundup to effectively kill the standing cereal crop, therefore ‘ripening’ it! The amount of residue on the grain must be immense, and its effect on fungal growth is as evidenced by the report. Dont forget the residue is then still on the grains when they are processed….oh yes, the wheat germ is what is included in brown bread, so as I have been saying to friends and family for years, brown bread is certainly NOT better for you!