Economic and Health Perspectives of Mycotoxins: A Review

RESUMO

Due to their potent toxicity; mycotoxins have attracted worldwide attention over the years and recently; there has been an increasing disquietness on the part of governments; producers; processors; marketers and consumers over the health and economic significance. The diversity in occurrence; structure and chemistry of mycotoxins make their impact more complex to diagnose. Owing to their usual environmental conditions of production in countries with warm and humid climates as well as poor conditions of storage and handling; agricultural commodities are susceptible to fungal colonization and development which can lead to the accumulation of mycotoxins. As part of drying process; agricultural produce are exposed to contamination by ubiquitous mycoflora that grow; develop and produce some toxic metabolites that are harmful to the consumers. Food is already a limited commodity; especially in developing countries of the world and consumers therefore; either as a matter of choice or for the relative cheapness and affordability during periods of scarcity; opt for the over-fresh produce; sometimes not aware of the adverse health implications such foods pose. In the quest to ensure regular and continuous availability of certain perishable farm produce; especially in developing nations; local farmers and traders resort to unscientific and faulty storage conditions to preserve commodities; thereby pre-disposing produce to fungal colonization and mycotoxin production. Thus; commodities such as groundnuts; maize; sorghum; rice; yam; cassava; tiger nut; soyabeans; cotton seeds; fruits; vegetables spices can be contaminated with toxins of fungal origin such as aflatoxins; ochratoxins; fumonisins; patulin; sterigmatocystin; deoxynivalenol; zearalenone and other mycotoxins which pose serious economic and health risks. This review presents some mycotoxins commonly found on agricultural commodities both in temperate and tropic regions of the world. The acute and chronic toxic effects of these toxins in humans and animals are highlighted. Control measures include education of the populace on the risks of exposure to mycotoxins through skin contact; inhalation and ingestion; early harvesting; rapid appropriate drying; sequestration of diseased seeds from sound seeds; sanitation; use of good agronomic practices; insect control; the use of botanicals and synthetics as storage protectants; biological control and detoxification of mycotoxin-contaminated commodities. Probable related health implications are also discussed with a view to creating better public awareness and providing scientific basis for appreciating the challenges; while proactively promoting the development and implementation of policies at mitigating risk factors. Some mycotoxins; their producer fungi and toxic effects are further presented