ABSTRACT
Mycotoxins are the general name given to a number of secondary metabolites produced by microscopic fungi that parasitize the crops. The main types of mycotoxins are the aflatoxins (AFB) B1, B2, G1, and G2, ochratoxin (OTA) A, trichothecenes, zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), fumonision B1 and B2 (FB1 and FB2), fusaproliferin, moniliformic, beauvericin-, enniatins, ergot alkaloids, altenuene, alternariol, alternariol methyl ether, altertoxin, and tenuazonic acid. All of these secondary metabolites have negative effects on human and animal health. Some of these mycotoxins are able to suppress immune system, promote cancer formation, and have a toxic effect on the skin, liver, kidneys, endocrine glands, and nervous system. Besides the ingested concentration value, the level of toxicity is influenced likewise by the physical condition and the age of the individual [1–5].
