黄曲毒素（aflatoxin），也称作黄曲霉素，是一种有强烈生物毒性的化合物，常由黄曲霉及寄生曲霉等另外几种霉菌在霉变的谷物中产生，如大米、豆类、花生等，是目前为止最强的致癌物质。加热至280℃以上才开始分解，所以一般的加热不易破坏其结构。进入体内后，黄曲毒素主要在肝脏内代谢，产生活性环氧化中间产物或羟基化，最终生成毒性较低的黄曲毒素M1。

黄曲毒素主要有B1、B2、G1与G2等4种，又以B1的毒性最强；是砒霜的68倍，是氰化钾（KCN）的10倍,米保存不当，极容易发霉变黄，产生黄曲毒素。黄曲毒素与肝癌有密切关系，还会引起组织失血、厌食等症状。1960年在英国发生了因喂食黄曲毒素花生粕而导致大批火鸡暴毙事件。

Aflatoxins are poisonous and cancer-causing chemicals that are produced by certain molds (Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus) which grow in soil, decaying vegetation, hay, and grains. They are regularly found in improperly stored staple commodities such as cassava, chili peppers, corn, cotton seed, millet, peanuts, rice, sorghum, sunflower seeds, tree nuts, wheat, and a variety of spices. When contaminated food is processed, aflatoxins enter the general food supply where they have been found in both pet and human foods, as well as in feedstocks for agricultural animals. Animals fed contaminated food can pass aflatoxin transformation products into eggs, milk products, and meat. For example, contaminated poultry feed is suspected in the findings of high percentages of samples of aflatoxin contaminated chicken meat and eggs in Pakistan.