The influence of climate changes on the significance of mycotoxins

Abstract

Mycotoxins are secondary products of fungal metabolism that are toxic or have other negative biological effects on human or animal health. To date, about 650 different mycotoxins have been discovered, the most important of which are: alflatoxins, fumosins, ochratoxin, zearalenone, trichothecenes, patulin and others. The most important mycotoxigenic fungi are from the genera: Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Claviceps and Alternaria. For each of the mentioned genera, certain, favorable conditions are needed for their growth and development: temperature, presence of moisture and carbon dioxide. As a result of global warming and changes in climatic conditions in some geographical areas, a greater amount of certain mycotoxins have appeared. In the last few decades, extremely hot and dry summers have led to an increase in the number of insects, which additionally contribute to the damage they cause by the settlement of mycotoxigenic fungi on agricultural products, and thus to an increase in the contamination of corn and other plant species with mycotoxins. Based on the knowledge so far, it is necessary to undertake a series of preventive measures to prevent and reduce contamination with Mycotoxins.