Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by molds that can contaminate food and cause illness in humans and animals. Over 350 mycotoxins have been identified. The term was first used in 1961 after an outbreak in England linked to contaminated peanut meal killed thousands of animals. Mycotoxins act as a chemical defense for molds, protecting them from predators. Major mycotoxins include aflatoxins, tricothecenes, and ochratoxins. Exposure can occur through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. Health effects range from acute poisoning to cancer. Intervention focuses on preventing mold growth in crops and buildings to reduce exposure.

1. MYCOTOXINS
PAVITHRA M. – M.Sc., 2nd FSN

2. • Myco: fungus
• Toxin: naturally-produced poison
• Natural products produced by fungi that evoke a
toxic response when introduced in low
concentrations to higher vertebrates by a natural
route
• 350-400 known mycotoxins.
• Example: Fusarium , Trichoderma , and Stachybotrys.
DEFINITION

3. HISTORY
• The term mycotoxin was used for the first
time in 1961 in the aftermath of a veterinary
crisis in England, during which thousands of
animals died. The disease was linked to a
peanut meal, incorporated in the diet,
contaminated with a toxin produced by the
filamentous fungus Aspergillus flavus.
• Probably a means of protection from insects,
microorganisms, nematodes, grazing
animals and humans
• “Chemical defense system” of the fungi or
mold.

4. CHEMICAL AGENTS PRODUCED BY MOULDS
• Mycotoxins
• Aflatoxins
• Tricothecenes
• Ochratoxins and citrinin
• Hundreds of others Glucans (cell wall components)
• Volatile organic compounds (irritating)

5. ROUTES OF EXPOSURE
• Eating food or drink containing toxins
• Breathing moldy air in damp indoor areas
• Dermal absorption
• Worldwide, approximately 25% of crops are
affected by mycotoxins annually
• Mould growing on wooden board

6. HEALTH EFFECTS
• Food poisoning and vomiting (vomitoxin)
• Aflatoxicosis (aflatoxin)
• Aplastic anemia (bone marrow failure) and
• bleeding (trichothecenes)
• Acute pulmonary hemorrhage
• Cancer (aflatoxins)
• Birth defects (fumonisins).

7. ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS

8. AFLATOXIN-CANCER
• Aflatoxin is a carcinogen (Group 1) - Increases risk of
hepatocellular cancer
• Fumonisins linked to oesophageal cancer
International Agency for Research on Cancer Group
B2
• Birth Defects-Fumonisins linked to neural tube
defects

9. DOSAGE
AFLATOXICOSIS
• Acute high exposures (Africa, Asia):
– Vomiting
– Abdominal pain
– Hepatitis
– Death
• Lethal dose for adults: 10-20 mg
• Chronic low-dose exposures:
– Impaired growth

10. TOXICOLOGICAL & BIOLOGICAL EFFECT OF
MYCOTOXIN IN FOOD

11. INTERVENTION
• To reduce airborne exposures to molds:
 Keep indoor areas dry
 Fix all leaks and clean up flooding within 24 hours
 Do not smoke indoors
• To reduce foodborne exposure to aflatoxin:
 Protect agricultural crops from moisture during both
growth and post-harvest storage
 Do not eat grains with visible mold
 Computer models to predict mycotoxin levels

12. INTERVENTION AFTER FLOODS
• Tetanus booster
• Food & water safety
• Sanitation & hygiene
• Power outages
• Carbon monoxide
• Animal & insects
• Cleanup
• Mold and mycotoxins
• Electrical hazards
• Reentering flooded buildings

13. PREVENTION,REMEDIATION & EDUCATION
• Protect child and pregnant woman from ingesting or inhaling
mycotoxins
– Foods (especially grains)
– Water-damaged, moldy homes
– Folic acid supplements for women
• Protect agricultural crops
– Growth
– Post-harvest
• Education
– Community leaders
– Consumer knowledge

14. PREVENTION
• Prevention in Silages and Wet Feeds-Select Resistant
Varieties
• Prevention in Dry Feeds-Moisture below 15%
• Use of Mold Inhibitors
• Animal Management- Observe animals closely to find
out symptoms
• Mycotoxin Sampling and Testing-Use various tests to
analyse its presence

15. AFLATOXIN TEST PROCEDURE

16. CONCLUSION
• Mycotoxins toxicology in food has bought out many
adverse effects in human health and many outbreaks
have occured all over the world costing many lifes. If
carefully observed this toxication can be prevented.
Still many new methods of preventing the toxin can
be found out through research in future.