Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced from various Genera of microfungi affecting most
grain crops, some fruits, vegetables and herbs, and some nuts and legumes. Molds producing mycotoxins include Aspergillus, Pencillium, Fusarium, and Alternaria. These molds are capable of producing Aflatoxins, Fusarium toxins, Trichothecenes, Patulins, Ochratoxins and Zearalenone. Many of the mycotoxins have adverse effects on humans and animals that consume mold infected foods.


Aflatoxins, produced mainly by Aspergillus, are considered carcinogenic and primarily affect the liver. This fungus infects many of our food crops such as nuts, grains and culinary herbs. Of primary economic concern are infestations that occur in corn and peanuts. Four related compounds are produced, i.e. aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2. Aflatoxin (M1) can also be found in milk, and milk products. This occurs when ingested aflatoxin B1 from contaminated feed is metabolized into M1. Another mycotoxin family produced by Aspergillus, as well as
by Pencillium, are the Ochratoxins. Ochratoxin A is primarily considered to be a nephrotoxin, but has also been shown to affect the liver. After ingestion of infected food, ochratoxin can persist in tissue for many years.

Fusarium fungi are capable of producing a wide variety of related mycotoxins-known as Trichothecenes. T-2 toxins, nivalenol and deoxynivalenol are trichothecenes. Fusarium fungus is widespread, infecting crops worldwide. The most widespread toxin produced is Deoxynivalenol, also known as DON or vomitoxin. Swine are probably the most sensitive to this mycotoxin. The toxin can cause intestinal disorders and emesis. Fusarium fungi are also capable of producing other mycotoxins, primarily by infecting maize crops, namely Fumonisins and Zearalenone.
Zearalenone can be produced by the same fusarium fungi which produce Deoxynivalenol. The toxin is known to affect the reproductive system causing hyperoestrocism in female pigs. Fumonisins are considered to be hepatotoxic.