Mutations and Cancer Risk Related to Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins are chemicals made by molds in nature. Molds can contaminate both natural and man-made materials, especially when the environment is warm and moist, causing the molds to grow and produce mycotoxins. There are more than 500 known mycotoxins, and the count is continually growing. Mycotoxins are poisonous substances that occur naturally and are produced by certain types of molds. These molds which have the ability to produce mycotoxins can be found on various food items like grains, dried fruits, nuts, and spices. The growth of these molds can happen pre or post-harvest, or during storage, in the food itself, especially in warm, damp, and humid conditions. Most mycotoxins are resistant to food processing techniques as they are chemically stable. There are numerous mycotoxins that have been identified, but the most commonly seen ones, which are worrisome for human health and livestock, include aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, patulin, fumonisins, zearalenone, and nivalenol/deoxynivalenol.