ABSTRACT
Natural toxins are compounds naturally produced by living organisms. These toxins are not harmful to the producing organisms but they may be toxic to other creatures, including humans, when consumed. These chemical compounds have diverse structures and differ in biological function and toxicity. Some natural toxins can be found in food as a result of defense mechanisms of plants, through their infestation with toxin-producing mold, or through ingestion by animals of toxin-producing microorganisms. Natural toxins can cause a variety of adverse health effects and pose serious health threats to both humans and livestock. Some of these toxins are extremely potent. Recent analytical techniques for structural characterization and identification and detection and quantification are summarized.
