Mycotoxins in Agriculture and Food
Research Guide

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by microfungi that cause disease and death in humans and animals. Bennett and Klich (2003) in 'Mycotoxins' highlight their pharmacological activity, leading to uses as antibiotics and growth promotants. They contaminate agricultural products like grains via fungal pathogens such as Fusarium and Aspergillus.

Fusarium species like F. graminearum and F. culmorum cause ear blight in small grain cereals, producing mycotoxins that affect food safety. Parry et al. (1995) in 'Fusarium ear blight (scab) in small grain cereals—a review' identify up to 17 causal organisms worldwide. Laboratory methods for isolation and identification are detailed in 'The Fusarium Laboratory Manual' (2006).

Aflatoxin exposure in developing countries leads to acute aflatoxicosis and chronic effects like liver cancer. Williams et al. (2004) in 'Human aflatoxicosis in developing countries: a review of toxicology, exposure, potential health consequences, and interventions' outline toxicology, exposure via contaminated foods, and intervention strategies. Risk assessments guide regulations to mitigate these impacts.

PCR primer sets amplify conserved genes from filamentous ascomycetes for speciation. Glass and Donaldson (1995) in 'Development of primer sets designed for use with the PCR to amplify conserved genes from filamentous ascomycetes' constructed nine primer sets based on Neurospora crassa and Aspergillus nidulans genes. Carbone and Kohn (1999) in 'A Method for Designing Primer Sets for Speciation Studies in Filamentous Ascomycetes' describe designing primers for ribosomal DNA regions.

Research spans 86,420 works on toxicology, regulations, detoxification, and climate change effects. Key papers cover Fusarium genomics and Aspergillus genetics, with 3025 citations for 'Mycotoxins' (2003). No recent preprints or news reported in the last 12 months.