MYCOTOXINS

PAVITHRA M. – M.Sc., 2nd FSN

• Myco: fungus

• Toxin: naturally-produced poison

• Natural products produced by fungi that evoke atoxic response when introduced in lowconcentrations to higher vertebrates by a naturalroute

• 350-400 known mycotoxins.

• Example: Fusarium , Trichoderma , and Stachybotrys.

DEFINITION

HISTORY• The term mycotoxin was used for the first

time in 1961 in the aftermath of a veterinarycrisis in England, during which thousands ofanimals died. The disease was linked to apeanut meal, incorporated in the diet,contaminated with a toxin produced by thefilamentous fungus Aspergillus flavus.

• Probably a means of protection from insects,microorganisms, nematodes, grazing animals and humans

• “Chemical defense system” of the fungi or mold.

CHEMICAL AGENTS PRODUCED BY MOULDS

• Mycotoxins

• Aflatoxins

• Tricothecenes

• Ochratoxins and citrinin

• Hundreds of others Glucans (cell wall components)

• Volatile organic compounds (irritating)

ROUTES OF EXPOSURE

• Eating food or drink containing toxins

• Breathing moldy air in damp indoor areas

• Dermal absorption

• Worldwide, approximately 25% of crops are affected by mycotoxins annually

• Mould growing on wooden board

HEALTH EFFECTS

• Food poisoning and vomiting (vomitoxin)

• Aflatoxicosis (aflatoxin)

• Aplastic anemia (bone marrow failure) and

• bleeding (trichothecenes)

• Acute pulmonary hemorrhage

• Cancer (aflatoxins)

• Birth defects (fumonisins).

ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS

AFLATOXIN-CANCER

• Aflatoxin is a carcinogen (Group 1) - Increases risk ofhepatocellular cancer

• Fumonisins linked to oesophageal cancerInternational Agency for Research on Cancer GroupB2

• Birth Defects-Fumonisins linked to neural tubedefects

DOSAGE

AFLATOXICOSIS

• Acute high exposures (Africa, Asia):

– Vomiting

– Abdominal pain

– Hepatitis

– Death

• Lethal dose for adults: 10-20 mg

• Chronic low-dose exposures:

– Impaired growth

TOXICOLOGICAL & BIOLOGICAL EFFECT OF MYCOTOXIN IN FOOD

INTERVENTION

• To reduce airborne exposures to molds:

Keep indoor areas dry

Fix all leaks and clean up flooding within 24 hours

Do not smoke indoors

• To reduce foodborne exposure to aflatoxin:

Protect agricultural crops from moisture during both

growth and post-harvest storage

Do not eat grains with visible mold

Computer models to predict mycotoxin levels

INTERVENTION AFTER FLOODS

• Tetanus booster• Food & water safety• Sanitation & hygiene• Power outages• Carbon monoxide• Animal & insects• Cleanup• Mold and mycotoxins• Electrical hazards• Reentering flooded buildings

PREVENTION,REMEDIATION & EDUCATION

• Protect child and pregnant woman from ingesting or inhaling mycotoxins– Foods (especially grains)– Water-damaged, moldy homes– Folic acid supplements for women

• Protect agricultural crops– Growth– Post-harvest

• Education– Community leaders– Consumer knowledge

PREVENTION

• Prevention in Silages and Wet Feeds-Select Resistant Varieties

• Prevention in Dry Feeds-Moisture below 15%

• Use of Mold Inhibitors

• Animal Management- Observe animals closely to find out symptoms

• Mycotoxin Sampling and Testing-Use various tests to analyse its presence

AFLATOXIN TEST PROCEDURE

CONCLUSION

• Mycotoxins toxicology in food has bought out many adverse effects in human health and many outbreaks have occured all over the world costing many lifes. If carefully observed this toxication can be prevented. Still many new methods of preventing the toxin can be found out through research in future.