About Mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are toxins produced by molds (fungi) and can accumulate in crops, where they pose health hazards to humans and animals. USDA Estimated. Mycotoxins are estimated to affect 25% of the world’s crops and cost US agriculture approximately $1 billion each year
When it comes to food safety, mycotoxins most often can contaminate grain. These toxins are produced by molds that result from the improper storage of grain. They are also found on diseased plants that have been impacted by extreme weather conditions, including unseasonable rains or drought.
Foods made from contaminated crops are not the only risk factor. Animals that have consumed contaminated feed can also pass on these mycotoxins found in meat, milk products, and eggs. Unfortunately, mycotoxins are not easily removed or destroyed during food processing. For this reason, many food processors will not accept feed containing mycotoxins into their facilities.
Common Disease-Causing Mycotoxins
Most mycotoxins impact the immune system. Certain body systems and organs are affected more so than others, depending on the mycotoxin ingested. Fungi species don’t all respond to the same environmental conditions or infect the same type of crop. More than one fungal species can produce the same kind of mycotoxin.
What are Mycotoxins?
The word “mycotoxin” is derived from the word “myco” (relating to fungi) and “toxins.” It was coined in the 1960’s when 100,000 turkeys in England died from turkey X disease. Peanut Meal contamination caused the death of these turkeys and autopsies revealed damaged livers and tumors.
The earliest recognized mycotoxin outbreak was known as St. Anthony’s Fire, which was widespread in Europe during the Middle Ages. Paintings and writings depict people suffering from gangrene, lost appendages, and hallucinations brought about by the outbreak.
Aflatoxins
Aflatoxins are one of the primary mycotoxins impacting human and animal health. They are produced mainly by Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, and Aspergillus nomius. Aspergillus thrives in warm, humid, and subtropical regions. High temperatures and drought conditions cause plant stress, which increases fungal colonization.
There are over 20 known aflatoxins, but the primary ones are B1, B2, G1, G2, and M1. Aflatoxins are carcinogenic (cancer-causing) and mutagenic (DNA altering). They can cause liver damage, tumors, birth defects, chronic disease, and even sudden death.
Primary crops affected: Peanut, corn, cotton, rice, tree nuts, figs, and copra.
Vomitoxin / Deoxynivalenol (DON)
Vomitoxin (called deoxynivalenol or DON for short) is another common mycotoxin. Part of the trichothecene family, it is produced by Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium verticillioides.
Fusarium prefers an environment that is wet and cool. Infection can happen on the field between flowering time to maturity, as well as during storage. DON can cause scab or blight disease in grains. Even visibly healthy-looking grain, however, can still contain a high level of DON. Vomitoxin can be found in flour, bread, beer, and baby food, as well as in liver, milk, and eggs.
DON exposure can cause vomiting, taste aversions, and even anorexia. It can make the digestive system more sensitive. Pigs are particularly sensitive to DON and it often causes kidney disease in mice.
Primary crops affected: Corn, wheat, barley, and sorghum.
Fumonisin
Fumonisin, produced by Fusarium verticillioides, can cause significant health problems in horses and pigs. This mycotoxin causes human esophageal cancer, as well as diseases affecting the brain, lungs, liver, and kidneys.
Primary crop affected: Corn.
Zearalenone
Zearalenone is an estrogenic mycotoxin produced by Fusarium graminearum. It can co-occur with DON.
In humans, zearalenone impacts the reproductive system. It causes early puberty in 7 and 8-year-old children and premature breast development and breast enlargement. Zearalenone may be involved in cervical cancer as it produces an enlarged uterus in mice.
Pigs are particularly sensitive to zearalenone. They may experience vulvovaginitis, abortion, and a wasting away of ovaries and testicles.
Primary crop affected: Corn, barley, rice, oats, rye, sorghum, soya, and wheat.
Ochratoxin
Ochratoxin, produced by both Aspergillus and Penicillium, can cause significant disease in animals. Found in pig, poultry, and meats, ochratoxin targets the brain, kidneys, and liver.
Primary crops affected: Wheat, barley, peanuts and cocoa.
T-2
T-2 is a toxin produced by Fusarium and is found in European grains more so than in US grains. This mycotoxin can be lethal, as it impacts protein synthesis and cell replication. Due to a delayed harvest from World War II, T-2 was responsible for killing almost 100,000 people in Russia in the 1940’s.
Primary crop affected: Corn, barley, wheat, oats, and rye.
Related Products
ROSA WET-S5 DON Quantitative Test
coolfx2021-08-01T20:26:22+07:00The ROSA WET-S5 DON Quantitative Test detects vomitoxin rapidly and quantitatively utilizing Rapid One Step Assay (ROSA) lateral flow technology.
ROSA Ochratoxin Quantitative Test for Feed and Grain
coolfx2020-08-05T16:32:16+07:00Ochratoxin is produced by the molds Penicillium and Aspergillus and is known to cause nephropathy in farm animals.
Charm II 6600/7600
coolfx2020-11-23T09:59:54+07:00The Charm II system provides comprehensive food safety testing for multiple food matrices. The Charm II 6600 is used to test for a wide range of residues in milk and honey.
