Fish Microbiology and Quality Assurance

Unit 6 - Biological hazards in foods

6.2. Mycotoxins

• Mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by a large number of molds (fungi), and are highly toxic to animals and potentially toxic to human beings. These are mutagenic, carsinogenic and some show toxicity restricted to specific organs.
  
• Mycotoxicosis is the syndrome resulting from the ingestion of mold toxin contaminated food. Of the several mold, members of Penicillium and Aspergillus sp produce mycotoxins as secondary metabolites during the end of exponential growth. Among the mycotoxins, aflatoxin is very important.