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Submitted to: Encyclopedia of Human Biology
Publication Type: Review Article Publication Acceptance Date: 6/14/1996 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The mycotoxin and mycotoxicoses are defined and distinguished from mushroom poisoning. A general description of the modern mycotoxicoses are outlined with reference to some historical episodes of mycotoxicoses. Modern mycotoxicology has elucidated that the mycotoxin problem is not only one of storage phenomena but is definitely a preharvest problem in many commodities. Immunosuppression is a concern with many mycotoxins and may be interactive in human disease and even some mycoses whereby the mycotic agent produces a mycotoxin during the pathogenic state in the host. The natural occurrence of the mycotoxins in agricultural products are outlined and the association of mycotoxins with human disease are presented. Those mycotoxins most prominent in causing human diseases are ergot alkaloids, trichothecenes, aflatoxins, ochratoxins, citreoviridin, psoralens, zearalenone, dicoumoral and potentially the fumonisins, and gliotoxin. The major problems involving mycotoxins are where a single staple is relied upon for daily sustenance. Some control of mycotoxins has been achieved through a multidisciplined effort to control insects, avoid stress to the plants during seed development and harvest and to adequately store and ship commodities entering commercial food marketing channels |
