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FUNGI
What is fungi?
Fungi can produce toxin called mycotoxin.
Mycotoxins can appear in the food chain as a
result of fungal infection of crops, either by
being eaten directly by humans or being used
as livestock feed. Mycotoxin greatly resists
decomposition or being broken down in
digestion, so they remain in food chain in
meat and dairy products. Temperature
treatments such as cooking and freezing do
not destroy mycotoxins. Some of health
effects found in animals and humans include
death, identifiable diseases or health
problems, and weekened immune systems.
Aflatoxins are type of mycotoxin produced by
Aspergillus such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus
parasiticus. Aflatoxin is a potent carcinogen and has
been directly correlated to adverse health effects
such as liver cancer.
