ABSTRACT
Toxic secondary metabolites from Penicillium, and mycotoxins from other fungal genera, have been discussed in several reviews since 1990. Toxicants from Penicillium species are classified to reflect their economic and health significance. The ochratoxin-producing Penicillia formerly included several species, but in the taxonomic scheme, only Penicillium verrucosum and its chemotypes are regarded as producers. In terms of animal and human health, ochratoxin A is the most important of the Penicillium mycotoxins. Cyclopiazonic acid was isolated from, and named for, Penicillium cyclopium in 1968. In Class B are mycotoxins associated with animal poisoning incidents, but which are not implicated in human disease. Citreoviridin administered to mice results in progressive paralysis in the limbs, vomiting, convulsions, cardiovascular damage and respiratory arrest. Ochratoxin A is the mycotoxin most frequently found in the blood of humans, and has been associated with the high incidence of a nephropathic illness in eastern Europe.
