Analysis of Fourteen Mycotoxins in Chili Peppers in Guizhou Province Combining DES-DLLME and UHPLC-MS/MS and Their Risk Evaluation

Mycotoxins exist widely in food and have a serious impact on human health.At present,most detection methods of mycotoxins are costly and time-consuming.Most of these methods are aimed at detecting a single type of mycotoxin,and the efficiency is not high.On this basis,in this study,QuEChERS-deep eutectic solvent liquid-liquid microextraction was applied to extract and enrich 14 mycotoxins in chili peppers from the concept of green chemistry.A simple,time-consuming and environment-friendly multi-flux pretreatment method was established,and 100 chili pepper samples were randomly sampled from farmers'markets and supermarkets in major urban areas of Guizhou Province for detection,and risk assessment was carried out according to the detection results.

Impact of mycotoxins and their metabolites associated with food grains

Mycotoxins are secondary toxic metabolites synthesized by numerous filamentous fungi including members of the genus Fusarium,Penicillium,Drechslera,Aspergillus,Claviceps,Monascum,Alternaria,Cephalosporium,Nigrospora,and Trichoderma.Among them,Aspergillus and Fusarium species are major plant pathogens recognized to induce infection and produce mycotoxins in food crops.More than 400 mycotoxins have been documented and among them,aflatoxin,fumonisins,trichothecenes,zearalenone,ochratoxin A,citrinin,ergot alkaloids,and patulin are the most prominent compounds linked to a variety of human and animal health disorders.Genus Fusarium and Aspergillus belong to a saprophytic group,which can infect and contaminate many crops at pre and post-harvest stages.Mycotoxins can have a variety of negative effects on health in both humans and animals.Mycotoxins and their metabolites can cause severe acute poisoning,which can result in death,as well as long-term negative health effects,such as cancer and immune-suppressive disorders in living beings(animals and humans).Mycotoxin contamination of agricultural goods has gained global significance,due to its toxic effects on living beings,as well as its importance to international trade.Our objective is to provide a consolidated information on the potential mycotixs in food grains and their significant impact on the health of the human beings.

Contamination of Fungi and Mycotoxins in Foodstuffs in High Risk Area of Esophageal Cancer

Fungal and mycotoxin contamination has been found in fordstuffs from Cixian County, an area with a high incidence of esophageal carcinoma (Eca). To set a scientific foundation for the prevention of Eca at the etiological level, fungal and mycotoxin contaminations of local foodstuffs in Cixian County were analyzed using classical fungal culture methods and HPLC. From 1990 to 1994, 220 corn/wheat samples and 34 corn samples were studied. As a control, 26 corn samples collected from a relatively low incidence area of Eca in Zanhuang County were analyzed for mycotoxins in 1990. The results showed that fungal contamination in corn and wheat was severe and that several of the predominant contaminating fungi such as Furasium moniliforme, etc. were carcinogenic. HPLC results showed that the detection rate and mean content of the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin (ST) in the mountainous area (5/8; 9. 14 μg/kg) were significantly higher than those in the hilly (0; 0) and plain areas (1/18; 1. 29 μg/kg) as well as in low risk area control samples (3/26; 0. 76 μg/kg). Detection rates of deoxynivalenol (DON) in mountainous and hilly areas (5/8, 4/8 respectively) were slightly higher than that in plain area (8/18), while the mean content of DON in the plain area was significantly higher (90. 45-170. 22 vs 50. 56 and 46. 45 μg/kg).Among the different aflatoxins, AFB1 was detected in samples from the two villages in the plain area for the subsequent two years. The mean content of AFB1 was 0. 0183μg/kg, and the highest level was 0. 0497 μg/kg. No AFB1 was detected in the samples from mountainous and hilly areas. AFG1 was detected in more than half of all the samples, and its concentration ranged from 8. 77 to 46. 51 ng/kg. No AFG2 was found in the samples. Thus, the results suggest that at present, fungal and mycotoxin contamination of foodstuffs in Cixian County are quite common.

Morphological and molecular response of small intestine to lactulose and hydrogen-rich water in female piglets fed Fusarium mycotoxins contaminated diet

Background: Following the intake of Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated feed,small intestines may be exposed to high levels of toxic substances that can potentially damage intestinal functions in livestock.It is well known that Fusarium mycotoxins will lead a breakdown of the normally impeccable epithelial barrier,resulting in the development of a "leaky" gut.H2 administration with different methods has been proved definitely potentials to prevent serious intestinal diseases.The goal of this study is to investigate the roles of lactulose(LAC) and hydrogenrich water(HRW) in preventing intestinal dysfunction in piglets fed Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated feed.Methods: A total of 24 female piglets were evenly assigned to 4 groups: negative control(NC) group,mycotoxincontaminated(MC) feed group,MC feed with LAC treatment(MC + LAC),and MC feed with HRW treatment(MC +HRW),respectively.Piglets in the NC group were fed uncontaminated control diet,while remaining piglets were fed Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated diet.For the NC and MC groups,10 mL/kg body weight(BW) of hydrogen-free water(HFW) was orally administrated to piglets twice daily;while in the MC + LAC and MC + HRW groups,piglets were treated with the same dose of LAC solution(500 mg/kg BW) and HRW twice daily,respectively.On d 25,serum was collected and used for biochemical analysis.Intestinal tissues were sampled for morphological examination as well as relative genes and protein expression analysis.Results: Our data showed that Fusarium mycotoxins induced higher serum diamine oxidase(DAO) activities(P < 0.05),D-lactic acid levels(P < 0.01),and endotoxin status(P < 0.01),lower villus height(P < 0.01) and ratio of villus height to crypt depth(P < 0.05) in small intestine,greater apoptosis index and higher mRNA expression related to tight junctions(P < 0.05).In addition,the distribution and down-regulation of claudin-3(CLDN3) protein in the small intestinal was also observed.As expected,oral administrations of HRW and LAC were found to remarkably provide beneficial effects against Fusarium mycotoxin-induced apoptosis and intestinal leaking.Moreover,either HRW or LAC treatments were also revealed to prevent abnormal intestinal morphological changes,disintegrate tight junctions,and restore the expression and distribution of CLDN3 protein in the small intestinal mucosal layer in female piglets that were fed Fusarium mycotoxins contaminated diet.Conclusions: Our data suggest that orally administrations of HRW and LAC result in less Fusarium mycotoxininduced apoptosis and leak in the small intestine.Either HRW or LAC treatments could prevent the abnormal changes of intestinal morphology and molecular response of tight junctions as well as restore the distribution and expression of CLDN3 protein of small intestinal mucosa layer in female piglets that were fed Fusarium mycotoxins contaminated diet.

Nutritional impact of mycotoxins in food animal production and strategies for mitigation

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi that are commonly detected as natural contaminants in agricultural commodities worldwide.Mycotoxin exposure can lead to mycotoxicosis in both animals and humans when found in animal feeds and food products,and at lower concentrations can affect animal performance by disrupting nutrient digestion,absorption,metabolism,and animal physiology.Thus,mycotoxin contamination of animal feeds represents a significant issue to the livestock industry and is a health threat to food animals.Since prevention of mycotoxin formation is difficult to undertake to avoid contamination,mitigation strategies are needed.This review explores how the mycotoxins aflatoxins,deoxynivalenol,zearalenone,fumonisins and ochratoxin A impose nutritional and metabolic effects on food animals and summarizes mitigation strategies to reduce the risk of mycotoxicity.

Fast determination of multi-mycotoxins in corn by dispersive solid-phase extraction coupled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A fast analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 9 mycotoxins, including alfatoxins （B1, B2, G1, and G2）, fumonisins （B1, B2 and B3）, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol in corn using dispersive solid-phase extraction method and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem quadrupole time-of-lfight mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） was developed and validated. Samples were extracted with acetonitrile-water （84：16, v：v, containing 1% acetic acid） using ultrasonic extraction. The extracts were puriifed with a dispersive SPE method using C18 as a cleaning agent. The ifnal clear extracts were dried by nitrogen blowing and subsequently redissolved in methanol-water （5：5, v：v）. The samples were then analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS with 0.1% formic acid in ammonium acetate-methanol as mobile phase. The mean recoveries were ranged from 68.0 to 120.0%, and the relative standard deviation （RSD） ranged from 0.18 to 6.29%. Limits of detections ranged from 0.05 to 50 μg kg？1, and limits of quantiifcation ranged from 0.1 to 200 μg kg？1, which were below the legal limits set by the European Union for the legislated mycotoxins. The developed method was applied to 130 corn samples. Among the mycotoxins studied, alfatoxins B1 and fumonisins B1, B2 and B3 were the most predominant mycotoxins, and their concentrations were 0–593.12, 0–2.01×104, 0–6.94×103 and 0–3.05×103 μg kg–1, respectively.

Recent advances in immunoassays and biosensors for mycotoxins detection in feedstuffs and foods

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungus.Many mycotoxin species are highly toxic and are frequently found in cereals and feedstuffs.So,powerful detection methods are vital and effective ways to prevent feed contamination.Traditional detection methods can no longer meet the needs of massive,real-time,simple,and fast mycotoxin monitoring.Rapid detection methods based on advanced material and sensor technology are the future trend.In this review,we highlight recent progress of mycotoxin rapid detection strategies in feedstuffs and foods,especially for simultaneous multiplex mycotoxin determination.Immunoassays,biosensors,and the prominent roles of nanomaterials are introduced.The principles of different types of recognition and signal transduction are explained,and the merits and pitfalls of these methods are compared.Furthermore,limitations and challenges of existing rapid sensing strategies and perspectives of future research are discussed.

Risk Assessment of Mycotoxins Intake through the Consumption of Maize, Peanuts, Rice and Cassava in Côte D’Ivoire

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of filamentous fungi that colonize a wide range of crops, including cereals and oilseeds, both in the field and after harvest, especially during storage. Several studies carried out on the occurrence of mycotoxins in crops and their derived products such as maize, peanuts, rice and attieke (cassava product), reported substantial levels of Aflatoxins (AFs), Fumonisins (FBs), Ochratoxin A (OTA) and Zearalenone (ZEA). The aim of the present study was to analyze findings available on Aflatoxins, Ochratoxin A and Fusarium toxins occurrence in maize, peanuts, rice and attieke in order to assess the exposure level and cancers risk in the Ivorian population. References and publications related to OTA in Côte d’Ivoire were searched and selected. Medline/PubMed, Elsevier Bibliographic Databases, BioInfoBank Library, DOAJ (Directory of Open Acess Journal), Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences and https://medwelljournals.com/home.php were used as databases. Data available showed Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of AFs and OTA were above of their Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) as recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Experts Committee on Food Additives through rice, maize, peanut and attieke consumption in Côte d’Ivoire. In addition, there is a veritable incidence of cancers with the abundant and frequent consumption of foods maize, rice, peanuts and attieke. However, maize and rice seemed to be sources of FBs

Determination of ETM, Histamine and Mycotoxins in Garba, a Traditional Ivoirian Meal

The methods of preparation, conservation and sale of Garba, the traditional Ivorian street meal, abundantly consumed in C&ocirc;te d’Ivoire, can be exposed to various infections resulting in the poisoning of consumers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hygienic quality of Garba through the analysis and the determination of certain toxic chemicals. In three hundred (300) samples of Garba collected in four districts in Abidjan, toxic metals (cadmium, mercury, lead), biogenic amine (histamine) and mycotoxins (aflatoxins and ochratoxin A) were detected and quantified using official standardized methods. Different toxics analyzed were present at various levels in the Garba. The mercury, lead, cadmium and histamine levels in the Garba were respectively 0.19 mg/kg, 0.19 mg/kg, 0.03 mg/kg and 32.69 mg/kg. The detected mycotoxins included aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and ochratoxin A, with respective average proportions of 3.44 μg/kg, 1.90 μg/kg, 8.07 μg/kg, 0.56 μg/kg and 0.42 μg/kg. The mycotoxins levels in the Garba are higher than the recommended toxic levels, particularly the ones in aflatoxin B1 and G1. This suggests a sanitary risk associated with the consumption of this meal. Consequently, awareness campaigns and training of the Garba sellers in hygiene and a better regulation of this sector by the competent authorities are required.

Occurrence of Fungi and Mycotoxins in Some Commercial Baby Foods in North Africa

Aflatoxins, are one of over 200 known mycotoxins produced by filamentous fungi. They are toxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic and may be present in many raw and processed food commodities including cereals and milk used as ingredients in infant food products. Consumption of these commodities may pose a potential risk to the health of infants. The mycoflora of 84 samples of baby food commercially available in North Africa was determined. The feeds were screened for mycotoxins using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and further analyses were carried for the total aflatoxins by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a Kobra cell to derivatise the aflatoxins (B1, G1, B2 and G2). Twenty-four fungal isolates were recovered from the samples consisting of 5 Aspergillus. spp, 13 Penicillum. spp, 5 Mucor. spp and an unidentified species Of these, 45.8% of the isolates were found to be mycotoxigenic however only 2.4% of the samples contained aflatoxins (19 to 70 μg·kg–1) and the remaining contained undetectable levels of the toxin. Storage at elevated relative humidity for 7 days showed a slight increase in the fungal counts but the toxin levels were unaffected. The results show the importance of periodic testing regime of ingredients used infant food formula for the presence of fungal contamination.

The Carry-Over of Mycotoxins in Products of Animal Origin with Special Regard to Its Implications for the European Food Safety Legislation

At present, carry-over research in mycotoxins experiences a change in focus. We reviewed the state-of-art knowledge regarding carry-over in aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, Fusarium toxins, patulin, ergot and citrinin. The common cooccurrence of mycotoxins demands for employment of multi-toxin analysis and poses a new challenge in reliable health hazard assessment. Synergies in adverse mycotoxin effects call for a revision of various guidance levels in feed. We found a lack of risk assessment regarding carry-over of rare mycotoxins and metabolites usually considered negligible.

Pollution and Quality Control of Mycotoxins in Foods and Feeds

Mycotoxins are a kind of secondary metabolites and the most polluting biotoxins in food and feed pollution,causing great losses to people's lives and economy.This study analyzed the residues of mycotoxins in foods and feeds in a certain area,so as to understand the food safety situation in the region and provide a strong basis for food and drug supervision and management.Quality control in the analysis process is the basis for ensuring real and effective data.This study carried out a specific analysis on the contamination of mycotoxins and the quality control in the process.

Qualitative Evaluation of the Capacity of <i>Lactobacillus</i>Strains to Degrade Mycotoxins Developed and Accumulated by Strains of the Genus <i>Alternaria</i>

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced and accumulated by mould. This study assessed the ability of 89 lactic acid bacteria, isolated from different sources, to degrade two mycotoxins by Alternaria: alternariol and altenuene. The mehodology employed was the thin layer chromatography. The results obtained allow us to demonstrate that a 16.85% of the strains (15/89 strains) are capable of decreasing the intensity of the band related at the alternariol and 14.60% (13/89 strains) is capable of decrease the intensity of the band that manifests the altenuane in Alufolium. All tests have been observed under wavelengths of 360 nm and 255 nm. The results obtained allow carrying out a selection of lactic acid strains capable of degrading or decreasing the concentration of mycotoxins selected for this.

Toxigenic Fungi and Mycotoxins in Organic Spelt and Its Products

This study shows that the main cause of Fusarium head blight of spelt was F. poae. In 2007 deoxynivalenol was found up to 0.27 mg/kg in 2 of 18 samples of winter spelt kernels from organic farms. Also in 3 samples T-2 toxin was found in amount below 0.075 mg/kg. Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A were not found in kernels. Among nine of the examined samples of winter spelt in 2008, DON was identified in all samples （up to 0.31 mg/kg）, while T-2 toxin, aflatoxins and OTA were not found. Among twenty of the examined cultivars of winter spelt, deoxynivalenol was identified in 6 samples （up to 0.3 mg/kg）, T-2 toxin was identified in one sample in very low amount （below 75 μg/kg） while aflatoxins and ochratoxin A were not found. Deoxynivalenol was found in following winter spelt cultivars： T. spelta L. album, T. spelta BG, T. spelta BG 1166, T. spelta, Schwabenspelz and Franckenkorn. T-2 toxin was identified in T. spelta L. album BG 31. Among 13 products from spelt, DON was detected in 1 sample, OTA in 1 sample and zearalenone in 1 sample, T-2 toxins and aflatoxins were not found.

Mycotoxins Incidence in Romanian Malting Barley （Harvest 2009）

The presence of deoxynivalenol （DON）, total aflatoxins, ochratoxin （OTA） and zearalenone （ZEA） was investigated in malting barley samples harvested in Romania using an ELISA method （VERATOX, Neogen）. In 7 out of 14 barley samples the aflatoxins were not found at detectable levels （50%）. In 9 out of 14 barley samples the OTA was not found at detectable levels （64.29%）. In 1 out of 14 barley samples the DON was not found at detectable levels （7.14%）. In 13 out of 14 barley samples （92.86%） the ZEA was above the acceptable limit （100μg/kg）. For all barley samples the aflatoxins, DON and OTA were in line with European Union regulations in force （4.0 μg/kg for aflatoxins, 1,250.0μg/kg for DON, 5.0 μg/kg for OTA, respectively）.

The Nature, Sources, Detections and Regulations of Mycotoxins That Contaminate Foods and Feeds Causing Health Hazards for Both Human and Animals

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungus kingdom. Fungi (molds) under aerobic and optimum conditions of humidity and temperature consume nutrients for proliferation and mycotoxin production (secretion). There are seven major groups of mycotoxins produced by different species of toxigenic fungal genus. Mycotoxins production from these toxigenic fungi depends on the surrounding intrinsic and extrinsic environments. These seven mycotoxins groups that contaminate grains, foods and animal feeds are: Aflatoxins, Trichothecene, Ochratoxins, Ergot alkaloid (Ergolin), Fumonisins, Patulin, and Zearalenone. These mycotoxins are capable of causing health hazards and death for both human and animals by effecting mammalian cells, causing a number of problems in normal cell function and a wide variety of clinical symptoms of diseases. These mycotoxins are varied in their toxicity depending on the infected host (human or animal) and the host susceptibility (immunity). The major concern of food and feed industries is the contamination of food products and animal feed supplies by these mycotoxins. Worldwide Health Organization (WHO), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are responsible to regulate the acceptable (tolerable) levels of these mycotoxins in grains, food and feed supplies to ensure the safety and health for both human and animals. Understanding fungal ecology and factors that affect fungal proliferation and mycotoxins production by these toxigenic fungi in agriculture crops as raw materials for both human food and animal feed products, plus understanding the chemistry and property of these mycotoxins, methods of detection, illness symptoms, and comply with regulatory guidance established by World Health Organization (WHO)/Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are key factors to prevent or minimize foods/feeds contamination and the toxicity of these mycotoxins for both human and animals health, plus reducing economical loss.

Mycotoxins in Brewing Grain Raw Material （Barley, Malt） in Russia

The levels of five mycotoxins （MT）： deoxynivalenol （DON）, T-2-toxin （T-2）, zearalenone （ZEA）, aflatoxin （Aft）, ochratoxin A （OTA） were measured in malting barley and malt samples by enzyme immunoassay （ELISA）, using test systems RIDASCREEN FAST （R-Biopharm, Germany）. 40 samples of malting barley, mainly from the Central part of European Russia and fewer from the Southern part of, and also some samples from Altai （Asian Russia） were analyzed during 2007-2011 years as well as 120 samples of malt from Russian malting companies. It was found that 17% of barley samples were contaminated with MT; in two cases （5%）, the MT concentration exceeded maximum allowable levels （MAL）. Among malt samples in more than half （in 56%） MT were detected, in 9% of samples, the MT concentration exceeded MAL （Aft-3 incidents, T-2-3 incidents, OTA-2 incidents, ZEA-1 incident）. Maximum levels ofmycotoxins in malt were found to be higher than those in barley. These facts support the idea about risky conditions during malting processing.

Various Impacts of Mycotoxins on Turkey Health and Performance

The objective of the trial was to show the negative impact of contamination with deoxynivalenol(DON,vomitoxin)in turkey poults feed and the ability of three mycotoxin deactivators to minimise DON effects in vivo.1596 one-day-old Hybrid tom turkeys were randomly placed into 38 floor pens(42 poults/pen).Each pen was assigned to 1 of 5 treatments in a randomized complete block design with each pen blocked by room and location within a room.Basal feed was prepared using uncontaminated or naturally contaminated maize.The treatments were then added to a standard turkey starter diet.Control group was fed uncontaminated diet.DON group was fed diet contaminated with 9,120μg/kg DON.Third group was fed diet contaminated with 9,120μg/kg DON and treated with UNIKE?Plus.Fourth group was fed diet contaminated with 9,120μg/kg DON and treated with Product A and the last group was fed diet contaminated with 9,120μg/kg DON and treated with Product B.The turkeys fed the UNIKE?PLUS treatment consumed more feed compared to those that were fed the DON contaminated diet(P<0.05).However,the feed consumption of birds fed Products A or B was not different from the DON treatment(P>0.10).With higher average daily feed intake,birds assigned to the UNIKE?PLUS treatment had a higher average daily gain and a higher final body weight compared to the DON treatment(P<0.10).The rate of average daily gain and body weight of turkeys fed the other 2 additives(Products A or B)were not different from the DON diet.There were no statistically significant differences in feed efficiency between treatments.This experiment demonstrated the negative influence that DON(and possibly other trichothecenes)has on feed consumption and the subsequent impact this has on the FCR and growth in young turkey poults.The mycotoxin deactivator UNIKE?PLUS reduced these negative effects and clearly performed better than the other two common brands of mycotoxin deactivators.

Challenging the Expiry Dates of Two Mycotoxins Standards: Afla and Ochra A

Objectives: To challenge the expiry dates of low concentration high purity mycotoxins standards. Literature Review: Aflatoxins (AFs) and Ochratoxin A (OTA) are persistent mycotoxins with adverse effects on humans. Mycotoxins standards are purchased to determine mycotoxin concentrations in food and may be stocked in some laboratories beyond expiry dates causing laboratories financial losses. Methods: Certified mycotoxins standards were purchased over the years from the same supplier at times and at other times from two different suppliers for quality control purposes. For AFs, six chromatographic runs for each of the mycotoxins standards were done to compare the difference among these standards having the following expiry dates (2008, 2012, 2013 and 2018). AFs standards purchased/obtained from two different suppliers in 2016 and expiring in 2018 were also compared. For OTA, the difference of concentration obtained between two years (2010 and 2018) was tested. All samples were run on a HPLC equipped with a fluorescence detector. Linearity of calibration curves and the points of lowest detection were determined for AFs components and for OTA from the unexpired mycotoxins standards. Results: At a 0.05 significance level and using non parametric tests, the statistical test revealed a p of 0.166, 0.153, 0.358 and 0.03 for B1, G1, B2 and G2 respectively among years for standards from same supplier and 0.037, 0.109, 0.182 and 0.182 for B1, G1, B2 and G2 respectively for unexpired standards from two different suppliers. For OTA, a p of 0.109 was obtained for standards of different expiry dates purchased from different suppliers. Conclusion: High purity low concentration mycotoxin standards purchased a decade ago (i.e. expired) did not differ from those purchased this current year (still valid). Hence, the expiry date can be renewed reducing the laboratories expenses. Manufacturers are urged to reconsider the expiry dates.

The characteristics of the chosen mycotoxins and their toxic influence on the human and animal metabolism

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites of fungi belonging mainly to the Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium genera. They can be formed in various agricultural produce in specific conditions. These natural and zootoxic chemical compounds cause an array of diseases in people and animals, i.e., mycotoxicoses. Depending on the type and dose, mycotoxins may cause liver, kidney, and lung cancers, as well as damage to the immune system, pathological changes in the nervous system, and reproduction disorders. Many mycotoxins disrupt digestion process, cause vomiting, nausea, anorexia, skin irritation and dermatitis, and even haemorrhages. A significant threat to the health of animals and people can be observed in the case of major infestation of crop ears from which foodstuff or feed are then produced. The ear infestation is facilitated by a suitable humidity and temperature during the growing season or while harvesting and storing the agricultural produce, which enhances the growth of mycotoxin-producing fungi. Suitable agricultural treatment, crop rotation, proper storing of crops in the conditions of limited humidity after the harvest as well as regular chemical analyses of the content of mycotoxins minimize their consumption and, accordingly, decrease the threat caused by these substances to the human and animal health.