ABSTRACT
Fungi are ubiquitous in nature and are found on cereal grains before and after harvest. Among such fungi are members of the Fusarium species, which are septate, lamentous, and saprophytic though they can become pathogens of plants (especially cereal grains) or immunocompromised humans.* Climatic conditions in temperate regions, especially the north (e.g., Europe, America, Asia), favor the growth of Fusarium species and production of mycotoxins on contaminated grains [1]. Globally, these toxins contaminate an estimated 25% of cereal crops resulting in frequent exposure via foods in many populations and are considered among the most serious mycotoxins affecting humans and animals [2,3]. The trichothecenes (T-2, HT-2, deoxynivalenol [DON]), fumonisin B1, and zearalenone (ZON) constitute the most relevant Fusarium toxins for human and animal health [4-7]. The emerging toxin group, comprised the enniatins, beauvericin, moniliformin, and fusaproliferin, are not directly linked to known human diseases. These toxins vary in structure, target organs, and/ or their toxic dose level, as well as their mode of action. Finally, trichothecenes, ZON, and their metabolites are sometimes bound to plant constituents, thus forming less toxic masked mycotoxins, not detected by standard protocols, which can return to their toxic form after ingestion.
