Mycotoxins

Abstract

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of micromycetes, with pronounced toxic properties. They are lowmolecular, non-immunogenic compounds with high thermal stability. According to the FAO data, more than 25 % of the grain harvest is constantly contaminated with mycotoxins in the world. The total number of mycotoxins has not been established, but today, the high toxicity of 47 compounds has been confirmed, 15 of which are carcinogenic, mutagenic, embryotoxic and immunosuppressive. Thus, the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC), on the basis of scientific research, aflatoxin B1 has been assigned to group 1 - human carcinogens; ochratoxin A, aflatoxin M1, fumonisins - in the group of potential human carcinogens (2B). Accumulating in feed, mycotoxins enter the body of farm animals and poultry, and then, with raw materials of animal origin, are included in the human food chain.