Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access

Mycotoxin

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolic products of molds present on almost all agricultural commodities worldwide. Unlike primary metabolites (sugars, amino acids and other substances), secondary metabolites are not essential in the normal metabolic function of the fungus. Other known secondary metabolites are phytotoxins and antibiotics.

Currently there are around 400 mycotoxins reported. These compounds occur under natural conditions in feed as well as in food. Some of the most common mycotoxins include: aflatoxins, trichothecenes, fumonisins, zearalenone, ochratoxin and ergot alkaloids. Mycotoxins are produced by different strains of fungi and each strain can produce more than one mycotoxin