The role of food contamination by mycotoxins in human diseases: a review (original) (raw)

Direct or indirect (by animals) contamination of food by mycotoxins produced by fungi is very common and should be considered a major problem in this era of globalization be- cause it can severely affect human health and sometimes produce cancer. Some of the mycotoxins are well known and widely studied, but many others have not been evaluated yet for their poten- tial toxicity. In this study we review the best-known human diseases induced by the most common mycotoxins such as aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, fumonisins and zearalenone and their mechanism of action. (Nutritional Therapy & Metabolism 2007; 25: 8-11)