Mycotoxins

Abstract Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by many different species of ubiquitous fungi that have adverse effects on humans and animals. This chapter reviews the most common mycotoxins and their relevance to sick building syndrome, bioterrorism, and food safety. It briefly addresses the impact of mycotoxins on animal and human health. The aflatoxin class of mycotoxins was the first to be discovered and studied. Citrinin is a simple, low‐molecular‐weight compound that crystallizes as light yellow needles. Cyclopiazonic acid is an indole‐tetramic acid mycotoxin produced by several species of Penicillium and Aspergillus . Fumonisins are among the most recently discovered mycotoxins. Zearalenone is a common contaminant of cereal crops worldwide and has been implicated in hyperestrogenism of farm animals as a result of digestion of moldy corn and grains.