3. CHARACTERISTICS OF MYCOTOXINS 3.1. Main types of mycotoxins There are several classification of mycotoxins base on the field of study. Different researchers grouped mycotoxins according to their area of study and the toxicity levels. For example, the Cell biologist grouped mycotoxins into generic classes such as teratogens, mutagens, carcinogens, and allergens. While the clinicians classified mycotoxins base on the body organs they affect such as hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, immunotoxins, and others. The organic chemists classified mycotoxins base on their chemical structure including lactones, coumarins, and so forth. Base on their biosynthetic source mycotoxins are grouped by the biochemists as polyketides, amino acid-derived …show more content…
The most common route of exposure to mycotoxins is ingestion, but it may also involve dermal, respiratory, and parenteral routes, the last being associated with drug abuse (Peraica and Domijan, 2001). In general, animals are directly exposed to mycotoxins through the consumption of mouldy feedstuffs, eating contaminated foods, skin contact with mould infected substrates and inhalation of spore-borne toxins (Bennett and Klich, 2003a). Human exposure to mycotoxins may result from consumption of plant-derived foods that are contaminated with toxins, the carry-over of mycotoxins and their metabolites in animal products such as meat and eggs (Veldman, 2004) or exposure to air and dust containing toxins (Jarvis, 2002). Most importantly, the presence of potentially toxigenic fungi does not imply the presence of mycotoxins, nor does the finding of mycotoxins prove that a particular species is, or was, present. Toxin production is dependent on substrates, nutrient levels, moisture, pH, and temperature (Murtoniemi et al.,
In 1981 United States Secretary of State Alexander Haig openly accused the Soviet Union of supplying this toxin to Communists found in Vietnam and or Laos. The Soviet Union denied these allegations. Secretary Haig had physical evidence from several places in Southeast Asia analyzed and reviled the possibility of three different mycotoxins. (Jonathan B. Tucker) So which do you believe it is a T-2 mycotxin or bee dung? This is still a mystery that remains even today whether it’s because the government doesn’t want to expose the truth, plausibly because it had its hands in part of this conspiracy or because of the value of revenue coming from the countries in question. It leaves it open to suggestion when the government classifies most of the documentation as Secret or higher to allude information from the public.
There are several classification of mycotoxins base on the field of study. Different researchers grouped mycotoxins according to their area of study and the toxicity levels. For example, the Cell biologist grouped mycotoxins into generic classes such as teratogens, mutagens, carcinogens, and allergens. While the clinicians classified mycotoxins base on the body organs they affect such as hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, immunotoxins, and others. The organic chemists classified mycotoxins base on their chemical structure including lactones, coumarins, and so forth. Base on their biosynthetic source mycotoxins are grouped by biochemists as polyketides, amino acid-derived mycotoxins, etc. The physicians according to the illnesses they
It is important to understand the facts about Ergot poisoning. Ergot, the fungus that grows on the rye flower, replacing the grain with a hard, purplish bundle of Mycelia that may contain as much as one percent Ergot Alkaloids. Ergot poisoning “may have been associated with the Salem Witch Trials of 1692” (Ahlstrom). At least one million people die within five years of Ergot poisoning (Ahlstrom). Ergot is a
Imagine being in a family that is expecting their first child. Articles in the newspaper are showing how the chances of miscarriages are increasing. As soon as anxiety starts to take over, a flip of a page in the newspaper changes everything. An article about a new drug called Diethylstilbestrol seems to be on the next page. Diethylstilbestrol, also known as DES, is a medicine that helps prevent women from having pregnancy complications including miscarriages. “This is amazing!” one may say, but do they really know the consequences of taking this new medication? Diethylstilbestrol was a huge turning point for most pregnant women in the early twentieth century; however, it had many underlying negative consequences that would later affect the mother and child with the word no one ever wants to hear; cancer.
...o public health. Weaponization involves aerosolizing the toxin to particles between 1-5µm in diameter (4) which facilitates inhalation of the toxin and access to the lower respiratory tract. (1,4) After the toxin crosses the pulmonary alveolar epithelium, it gains access to the bloodstream and nervous system, causing symptoms similar to foodborne botulism. (1) Thankfully, there have been no major successes in this area because the exposure of the toxin to heat, acid, and ultraviolet light during weapon deployment are likely to degrade its activity. (4) Bioterrorism may also involve contamination of food or beverage supplies within a community, resulting in foodborne botulism. (1)
We live in a world where being medicated has become a societal norm. Modern health care practices have set the stage for the proliferation of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription drugs by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Some of these practices include the emergence of managed care organizations (MCOs), the legalization of DTCA of prescription drugs, the emergence of the Internet as an alternative promotional channel, the increased desire by patients to become more involved in their own health care decisions, the disillusionment with traditional medicine, and the rise of ‘alternative’ medicine, to name a few. There is an ongoing debate as to the ultimate harm or benefit of this relatively recent practice of pharmaceutical manufacturers to direct their promotional efforts away from the physician and towards the consumer.
They are classified by many different factors. Included are target organisms, which are herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. Another is their chemical structure, organic, inor...
Foodborne diseases are among the most widespread public health problems. Yet only a small proportion of these illnesses come to the notice of health services, and even fewer are investigated. In developing countries even fewer cases are counted, primarily because of poverty and lack of resources for food safety management and food control services. In spite of underreporting, increases in foodborne diseases in many parts of the world and the emergence of new or newly recognized foodborne problems have been identified (Tauxe, 2002).
Pesticides and Fertilizer run off from farms causes an overwhelming negative effects on the environment. Pesticides contaminate the water and poison fish both killing them and causing biological magnification in the fish that are higher up in the food chain. When humans eat these fish the risk of being harmed by pesticides is increased. Tobacco plants were engineered to express a gene that detoxifies 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate ( 2,4-D), one of the most commonly used pesticides world wide, and removes it from the soil.
The Mycotoxins are metabolites of mould which may infect foods, animal feeds and that happen to be toxic to human. The study of Mycotoxins, and the legislation associated with their control are based on them being considered as adulterant of foods and animal feeds.
Throughout history disease has run rampant taking many lives with every passing day. Finding a cure or even just a tool in the battle has been the main focus of scientist throughout time. This focus is what brought us the discovery of antibiotics. Over the years antibiotics have been misused by patients, over prescribed by physicians and have led to resistant strains of bacteria.
Pesticides are used daily throughout all types of places. In rural areas, farmers are applying pesticides on their crops to protect them from the devastation that some insects can have. In urban areas families are using pesticides to protect their houses and their children from pests. There are many different sections of pesticides. Fungicides kill fungus, herbicides kill plants, rodenticide kill rodents, larvicides kill larvae, and bactericides kill bacteria. When people use pesticides, they feel as though their houses and children are protected. Many people don’t see the down fall of using such harsh chemicals. Exposure to harsh chemicals can send your body in a downward spiral.
Fungi produce several toxic substances. However, not all these toxic substances can be classified as mycotoxins. These toxins are classified and defined based on the hosts they harm, and the amount of toxins secreted by fungi. For example, toxins that are produced to harm bacteria are grouped as antibiotics while toxins harmful to humans are called mycotoxins[1]. It is important to note that the term mycotoxins are limited only to fungal toxins required at low concentrations to produce disease in humans. Mycotoxins have no specific definition. Several papers and books use different characteristics in defining mycotoxins. As an example, some researchers refer to mycotoxins as low molecular weight secondary metabolites produced by fungi which are harmful to humans and other animals in their lowest concentration[1-3]. Interestingly,
Peroxisomes, or microbodies, are one of the many organelles found within the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell. Similar to the lysosome, it is an enzyme containing vesicle, 0.1-1.5 um in diameter, bound by a single lipid bilayer membrane. However, despite the similarities to the lysosome, the peroxisome has significant differences which allow it to carry out its very important functions within the cell. For example, unlike lysosomes it contains oxidases instead of hydrolases which in turn help it with its ability to break down substances. It was previously thought that peroxisomes weren’t important to a cells function but new studies show just how significant the correct functioning of peroxisomes in cells is.
The pesticide is a controversial topic since farmers are used it to gain their yield. Especially, pesticide is discovered during World War II as a chemical weapon that mixture of multiple chemicals together to kill human. Therefore, Chantries redesign pesticide to kill an organism where and when we don’t want it. Because people want to go to the grocery store to buy the perfect product, pesticide makes it happens and with a little cost for farmers. Nonetheless, pesticide also is the expenditure of life expectancy, which directly threatens people and poses risk of mortality rate. Abusing the pesticide has multiple affects on our society, (Add). (Add thesis)