Aflatoxins are mycotoxins that are produced by various Aspergillus flavus molds. Not only are these compounds extremely toxic, but they are also mutagenic and carcinogenic. They fluoresce under UV radiation, and fluorescence detection is often used for analysis in HPLC.

While thin-layer chromatography was frequently used in the past, HPLC has been used in recent years because of its ease of operation and better quantitation. Using a HPLC method can provide improved results compared to the older methods.