Mycotoxins and Mycotoxicoses, Detection and Analysis: A Review in Retrospect

Abstract

Mycotoxins are recognized as toxic compounds of great concern in the context of human health and economy. Mycotoxins are toxic chemical products formed as secondary metabolites by some fungi that readily colonise crops in the field or after harvest. The toxicity syndrome resulting from the intake of such contaminated material by animal and manis termed Mycotoxicosis.These compounds pose a potential threat to human and animal health through ingestion of food products prepared from these commodities.Mycotoxicoses affect various systems of the body according to the target organs of the mycotoxin. This review revealed the major mycotoxins of fungal origin and their mycotoxicoses. The study also reviewed the history of mycotoxin, methods of mycotoxin detection, analysis and the health implications of consuming mycotoxin-contaminated foods/products. In most developing countries, majority are ignorant of the inherent dangers of consuming mouldy produce or food contaminated with fungi and moulds with possible contamination by mycotoxigenic fungi. In view of this, there is need for general and public education to sensitise the people on the health hazards posed by mycotoxins. Proper washing and cooking practices of food commodities, good agricultural practices, fast and effective analyses and detection, good produce handling and storage are some of the control/regulatory measures that should be encouraged, as to assist in mitigating the side effects of mycotoxins in food and health particularly in the tropical and sub-tropical countries and in African where there is enabling environment that promotes fungal growth.