Mycotoxins which are considered as toxic secondary metabolites are low weight molecules produced from filamentous fungi. These secondary metabolites if consumed by humans or comes in contact with the feed of animals can be toxic and can even be carcinogenic, neurotoxic, nephron toxic or immunosuppressive. The term mycotoxin was used in 1960 in the UK after the demise of 100,000 turkeys attributed to the use of feed tainted with secondary metabolites from Aspergillus flavus. Warm (25±1 °C) and humid conditions with poor post-harvest handling as well as storage conditions often aggravate the problem.
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Aspergillus, Fusarium, Mycotoxins, Penicillium
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