Mycotoxin research and mycoflora in some commercially important agricultural commodities

Mycotoxin contamination in certain agricultural systems has been a serious concern for human and animal health. Mycotoxins are toxic substances produced mostly as secondary metabolites by fungi that grow on seeds and feed in the field, or in storage. The major mycotoxin-producing fungi are species of Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium and the important mycotoxins are aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxins, cyclopiazonic acid, deoxynivalenol/nivalenol, patulin and zearalenone. The food-borne mycotoxins likely to be of greatest significance for human health in tropical developing countries are aflatoxins and fumonisins. This paper reviews the commodity-wise aetiology and contamination process of the major mycotoxins and the magnitude of contamination in commercially important agricultural commodities. This database would be useful as benchmark information for development and prioritization of future research programmes.