Further mycotoxin effects from climate change

Climate change will affect mycotoxins in food. The 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report is reinterpreted herein to account for what may occur with mycotoxins. Warmer weather, heat waves, greater precipitation and drought will have various impacts, depending on which regions of the world and mycotoxin systems are considered. The humidity issues are more complex as some areas will experience drought and others greater precipitation: in vivo data on the effects of moisture on mycotoxins in crops are more ambiguous than those for temperature. In vitro data on fungal growth and mycotoxin production may not relate directly to the situation in the field or post harvest, but are useful for base-line assumptions. The effects of climate in various regions of the world, i.e. Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America and North America are considered in terms of mycotoxin contamination. Crops introduced to exploit altered climate may be subject to fewer mycotoxin producing fungi (the “Parasites Lost” phenomenon). Increased mycotoxins and UV radiation may cause fungi to mutate on crops and produce different mycotoxins. Whereas there is relevant information on aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, and ochratoxin A, more mycotoxins require to be considered: Data on patulin are missing. The current paper considers uniquely ergot alkaloids. Amelioration strategies are provided. There is considerable urgency in the need to address these issues.

► IPCC (2007) report reinterpreted for mycotoxin debate.
► Safe and dangerous mycotoxin conditions provided and each region of the world considered.
► In general, more mycotoxins expected with more crops and vice versa.
► Which mycotoxins will tend to dominate is assessed.
► Rates of mycotoxin accumulation will change: fungi may mutate to produce more/novel mycotoxins.