According to a University of California, Irvine (UCI) study published in the Journal Nature on Thursday, a toxin found on mold on grains can act as a key factor in causing liver cancer. Large amounts of consumption can lead to cancer and other liver and health damages. The study reported that about 4.5 billion people worldwide, particularly in developing nations, are unintentionally exposed to large amounts of the gain mold toxin.

The toxin, called aflatoxin, is found to contaminate gains and harvests either during cultivation or storage. Exposure to the toxin increases the likelihood of contracting cancer and other liver related diseases like Hepatitis C by around 60 times.  

"This discovery provides insight into the mechanism of carcinogen production as well as an Achilles' heel that can be targeted by new generations of inhibitors. The basic understanding of polyketide synthesis that this work provides will be invaluable in the design of new polyketide-derived drugs", said Christopher Hughes, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Professor and Chair.

Researchers are positive that the new findings and study will lead to new understanding on how the toxin causes liver cancer, as well as bring to light new ways to fight it.