Advances in understanding key contamination risks in animal feed: mycotoxins

Abstract

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain filamentous fungi, especially Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium. Over 400 mycotoxins have been identified, most notably aflatoxins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, fumonisins and ochratoxins. These low molecular weight compounds are naturally occurring and (seem to be) unavoidable. In fact, a high percentage of feed samples have been reported to be contaminated with more than one mycotoxin. Mycotoxins accumulate in corn, cereals, soybeans, sorghum, peanuts, and other food and feed crops, directly in the field or during the transportation, processing or storage stages. Consumption of mycotoxin-contaminated food or feed can lead acute or chronic toxicity in humans and animals, as well as crop losses. This chapter reviews the toxicity of the six mycotoxins, the foods they commonly contaminate, and the current methods used to detect and control of these mycotoxins.