Mycotoxin contamination in food- and feedstuffs

Abstract

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of various molds of high importance in animal nutrition, food production, veterinary medicine and human health. As mold species, producing mycotoxins, are ubiquitous, mycotoxins are present everywhere in the environment and, thus, can cause various problems when their levels increase. Mycotoxins are often highly toxic and cause disadvantageous biological effects, including severe diseases in both humans and animals. In common veterinary practice mycotoxins are “frequent players” as they can cause serious nutritional problems and animal diseases causing loss for farmers and animal keepers. The role of mycotoxins is especially important in food and feed hygiene. If the foodstuff contaminated with mycotoxins, or the animals suffering mycotoxicosis, are integrated into the food market, it will have serious consequences on human health as well. The present thesis summarizes basic information on mycotoxins with special regard to food and feed hygiene and with emphasis on common veterinary aspects.