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Mycotoxicology is the branch of mycology that focuses on analyzing and studying the toxins produced by fungi, known as mycotoxins. [1] In the food industry it is important to adopt measures that keep mycotoxin levels as low as practicable, especially those that are heat-stable.
However, one must take note that scientific risk assessment is commonly influenced by culture and politics, which, in turn, will affect trade regulations of mycotoxins. [57] Food-based mycotoxins were studied extensively worldwide throughout the 20th century.
3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) is a mycotoxin, a potent mitochondrial inhibitor, [1] which is toxic to humans. It is produced by a number of fungi, and may be found widely in food such as in sugar cane as well as Japanese fungally fermented staples, including miso, soy sauce, katsuobushi, [2] coconuts [3] and some traditional Chinese medicines.
A health risk assessment (HRA) is a health questionnaire, used to provide individuals with an evaluation of their health risks and quality of life. [5] Commonly a HRA incorporates three key elements – an extended questionnaire, a risk calculation or score, and some form of feedback, i.e. face-to-face with a health advisor or an automatic online report.
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Aspergillus ochraceus is a mold species in the genus Aspergillus known to produce the toxin ochratoxin A, one of the most abundant food-contaminating mycotoxins, and citrinin. It also produces the dihydroisocoumarin mellein. It is a filamentous fungus in nature and has characteristic biseriate conidiophores.
Temperature, water activity and pH, strongly influence mycotoxin biosynthesis by increasing the level of transcription within the fungal spore. It has also been found that low levels of fungicides can boost mycotoxin synthesis. [39] [40] Certain mycotoxins can be harmful or lethal to humans and animals when exposure is high enough. [41] [42]
Mycotoxin production also relies heavily on water activity, the ideal range would be from 0.83 to 0.9 aw and higher. [37] Humidity plays a key in the production of mycotoxins as well. [ 37 ] Higher levels of humidity (between 70% and 90%) and moisture (between 20% and 25%) allow mycotoxins to grow more rapidly. [ 37 ]