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Some of the health effects found in animals and humans include death, identifiable diseases or health problems, weakened immune systems without specificity to a toxin, and as allergens or irritants. Some mycotoxins are harmful to other micro-organisms such as other fungi or even bacteria; penicillin is one example. [46]
Many microbes, including bacteria, yeast, and fungi, have evolved enzymatic gene products which facilitate the specific and efficient degradation of trichothecene mycotoxins. [73] Many of these enzymes specifically degrade the 12,13 carbon epoxide ring which is important for the toxicity of trichothecenes.
Higher levels of humidity (between 70% and 90%) and moisture (between 20% and 25%) allow mycotoxins to grow more rapidly. [37] Foods that mycotoxins are found in cereal, spices, and seeds. [37] They can also be found in eggs, milk, and meat from animals that have been contaminated during their feeding process. [37]
Aflatoxin transformation products are sometimes found in eggs, milk products, and meat when animals are fed contaminated grains. [2] [27] A study conducted in Kenya and Mali found that the predominant practices for drying and storage of maize were inadequate in minimizing exposure to aflatoxins. [28]
Citrinin is a mycotoxin which is often found in food. It is a secondary metabolite produced by fungi that contaminates long-stored food and it can cause a variety of toxic effects, including kidney, liver and cell damage. Citrinin is mainly found in stored grains, but sometimes also in fruits and other plant products.
In grains and legumes, postharvest disease results in the production of mycotoxins. [3] The largest economic loss caused by this pathogen is a result of aflatoxin production. In the United States, annual economic loss estimations of peanuts, corn, cottonseed, walnuts, and almonds are less severe when compared to Asia and Africa. [4]
Mycotoxins in rice was not an unknown problem in Japan before the discovery of Penicillium. Several mycotoxins had already been discovered, but these were grains that infected rice in the field rather than after harvest, such as citreonigrum. The discovery of mycotoxins in rice led to the reinforcement of rice hygiene standards. [1]
This fungus has also been found in a wide variety of agricultural commodities like corn, peanuts, cottonseed, rice, tree nuts, cereal grains, and fruits. [4] Similarly the presence of this fungus has been documented in coffee beans [ 17 ] Apart from the actual colonies of fungi growing on substances, the toxins and metabolites produced by this ...