The biosynthetic diversity of secondary metabolites; Epidemiology of fusarium ear diseases of cereals; Breeding for resistance to fusarium wheat and maize; Spectral characteristic of secondary metabolites; Penicillium and aspergillus toxins; Ecological aspects of growth and mycotoxin production by storage fungi; Alternaria toxins; Immunotoxic effects of mycotoxins; Toxicology of mycotoxins; Residues in food products of animal origin; Decontamination of fusarium mycotoxins; Prevention of human mycotozicoses through risk assessment and risk management; Factors responsible for economic losses due to fusarium mycotoxin contamination of grains, foods, and feedstuffs; Diseases in humans with mycotoxins as possible causes.

Fungi growth in the storage of cereal grain has led to serious losses of grain quality and quantity each year the world over. These fungi and moulds are capable of producing mycotoxins which accumulate in grains. This book contains reviews from 21 experts on the relationship between mould growth in grain and its effects as well as the accumulation of mycotoxins. Discussed are properties of "storage fungi" such as the water and temperature relationship, taxonomy and nomenclature aspects etc. New methods of storage allow for early detection of these mould growths. Significant attention is paid to Aspergillus and Penicillium species colonizing in cereal grain and their growth requirements. The book touches on the significance of mycotoxins in grain being used for food production and possible detoxification processes. There is considerable attention given to a new technique of decontamination in countries with humid climates involving proper drying techniques at low temperatures or heated air dryers. This volume covers numerous scientific and practical aspects of grain storage on farms and in industries which are important in preventing quality losses and contamination with mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins are among the most potent causes of cancer. Ingestion through the diet can pose chronic health risks for both humans and livestock. Death may occur as a result of acute poisoning. Mycotoxins are chemicals produced by fungal molds. These molds grow during production, harvesting and storage of grain, pulses, nuts, roots and other crops. This booklet is directed at the farm situation, providing advice that can be used to avoid mycotoxin contamination before food leaves the farm. The booklet describes what mycotoxins are, how they are produced and how to recognize signs of their presence. It provides advice to enable farmers to minimize the risk from mold contamination while the crop is growing, during harvest and through storage.--Publisher's description.

Current Knowledge of fungi and mycotoxins associated with food commodities in southeast Asia; Controlling aflatoxin contamination in maize stored under tropical conditions; Occurrence and significance of storage fungi and associated mycotoxins in rice and cereal grains; Effect of drying control on mycotoxin production; The aflatoxicosis problem and management of aflatoxin in feed in Vietnam; Surveys on postharvest handling, aspergillus flavus infection, and aflatoxin contamination of maize collected from farmers and traders; Relationship between soil populations of aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin contamination under field conditions in the Philippines; Inhibition of aflatoxin contamination in rice by cladosporium fulvum; Completed-project economic assessment of two ACIAR projects on fungi and aflatoxins: a discussion of methodology issues and some estimates of potential benefits; Mycotoxin contamination of grains - a review of research in Indonesia; Overview of aflatoxin contamination of selected agricultural commodities in Malaysia; The challenges of mycotoxin research and development work on foods and feedstuffs in the Philippines; Control of aflatoxin contamination in maize in Thailand; Aflatoxin in animal feeds and effects on poultry production in Vietnam.

All relevant toxin producing fungi, their natural occurence, the possible mycotoxicosis, further the biochemical and physiological effects of mycotoxins, their chemical data and toxicity are treated here comprehensively. For each fungi, reference is given to the food at risk. All foods which have been reported to be contaminated with mycotoxins are listed, including data on the degree of contamination, the concentration of the toxins and the country of origin and/or detection of the contaminated food.

The term Mycotoxin literally means poison from fungi. Mycotoxins are substances produced from fungal secondary metabolic processes, which impair animal health thereby causing great economic losses of livestock through disease. This book gives an overview of mycotoxins in feedstuff and ingredients. It lists the degree of contamination, concentration and country of origin/detection for each case of mycotoxin contamination. In addition, the book shows whether a feedstuff/ingredient is predisposed for a mycotoxin contamination, detailing the number of mycotoxins as well as number of citations concerning one feedstuff.