Public health aspects of Fusarium mycotoxins in food in The Netherlands : a risk assessment

Plant pathogenic Fusarium moulds occur world-wide and cereals can become infected during the growing period. Fusarium was detected in 83 % of 69 cereal samples of batches intended for food or feed production and harvested in The Netherlands in 1993. A considerable genotypic and phenotypic variation was observed within two of the most frequently isolated Fusarium species. Mycotoxins can be excreted in the crop by the fungus after the plant becomes infected. A literature review revealed 137 secondary metabolites that could be, produced by Fusarium species which were isolated from food raw materi... Mehr ...