Mycotoxin contamination in cereals (original) (raw)

______________________________________________________________________________________ Abstract Food or feed control focuses not only on the analysis of natural food components (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins), but also on the determination of harmful compounds, like mycotoxins. This group of contaminants, produced by fungi (commonly called moulds) can be dangerous to human and animal health causing diseases known as mycotoxicosis. Fungi belonging mainly to Fusarium, Aspergillus or Penicillin genus produce several mycotoxins with different health risk. The European Commission has proposed regulatory limits for Aflatoxins, DON, T-2/HT-2 Fumonisins, and OchratoxinA for various raw cereals and their processed products, and for nuts , dried fruits, coffee and some other ingredients of food. There is the need to survey the present situation and deal with the problem of mycotoxin polluted food in the various countries. Results of mycotoxin analysis (cereals, mixed feeds, raw mate...