A dataset of the distribution of aflatoxin-producing fungi in Japan

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi that can cause adverse effects on animals and humans. Above all, aflatoxin (AF), produced by some species of genus Aspergillus, is a potent genotoxic and carcinogenic toxin. Since environmental factors are known to affect the risk of fungal growth and mycotoxin production, it is expected that climate change will increase the contamination of agricultural commodities with mycotoxins. AF-producing fungi have been thought to be distributed mostly in tropical and subtropical regions; however, there is a concern that the distribution of these fungi is expanding in Japan due to climate change. There is a lack of research on the risk of mycotoxin contamination under a climate change in Japan, and studies are needed to predict fungal occurrence and mycotoxin contamination in Japan. Here, we present a dataset collected through a systematic literature search from publicly available data sources (Web of Science, CiNii Research, J-STAGE, AgriKnowledge and NARO Genebank), for distribution of AF producing fungi. This dataset includes information of AF-producing fungi distribution surveyed in 33 of the 47 prefectures and corresponding geographic data. This dataset is useful resources for conducting meta-analyses to quantify the climate change impact on distribution of AF producing fungi in Japan and contribute the risk assessment of AF contamination.