The toxicology of mycotoxins

Abstract

Mycotoxin problems are one of great concern to health scientists. Toxic fungal metabolites such as aflatoxins, trichothecenes, zearalenone and others are contaminated in our environments and induce various diseases. In this manuscript, the author will summarize the recent advances on toxicology of mycotoxins in special references to toxicological characters, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity (mutagenicity and carcinogenicity), metabolism, and biochemical mode of action. Interaction of mycotoxins with cellular components will be reviewed in order to clarify the toxicological characteristics of mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, toxic peptides, and anthraquinoid mycotoxins.