Mycotoxins and its Impact on Human Populations

Abstract

Food spoilage due to microorganism’s especially fungal contamination can be accompanied by the production of toxic secondary metabolites which may result in medical problems. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites and structurally diverse group of mostly small molecular weight compounds produced by different molds or fungi that have shown serious effects on humans, animals, and crops. Not all toxins produced by molds are called Mycotoxins. The contamination of food materials with molds and mycotoxins is a major concern worldwide. Mycotoxins are toxic to human beings and other animals even in very low concentrations. Mostly, mycotoxins occur more frequently in areas with a hot and humid climate that favors the growth of molds in the substrate. But they can also be found in temperate as well as other climatic conditions. Many molds are capable of producing more than one type of mycotoxin. Some mycotoxins are produced by more than one species. Generally, more than one mycotoxin is found on a contaminated food substrate