aflatoxin
UK[ˌæfləˈtɒksɪn]US[ˌæfləˈtɑːksɪn]
n
a type of poisonous substance produced by some fungi that can contaminate food such as nuts and grain, and is known to cause cancer.
Morpheme Breakdown
a
fla
toxin
a
fla
toxin
Etymology
the word is a modern scientific compound, coined in the early 1960s. it directly derives from the taxonomic name of the fungus that produces it: 'aspergillus flavus'. the first part, "afla-", is a contraction of 'a.' (for aspergillus) and 'fla' (for flavus, referencing the yellow color of the fungus). this is combined with "-toxin", a suffix of latin and greek origin denoting a poisonous substance. thus, the term's literal construction means "the poison from aspergillus flavus," efficiently linking its biological source to its harmful chemical nature.
Analysis
Structure: a + fla + toxin
"a" (from the genus name 'Aspergillus', specifically 'A. flavus'), "fla" (from the species name 'flavus', latin for 'yellow'), "toxin" (from latin 'toxicum' meaning 'poison', a noun-forming element).
Examples
peanuts must be stored properly to prevent the growth of mold and the production of aflatoxin.
strict regulations are in place to limit aflatoxin levels in food supplies due to its carcinogenic properties.
scientists are developing crops resistant to the fungi that produce aflatoxin.