Author
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Porter, James |
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Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2000 Publication Date: 12/30/2000 Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Food safety, animal health and productivity, and human health problems identified with grains contaminated by fungi have concentrated chemical and biological research on the detection of mycotoxins produced by a variety of fungi. This chapter contains discussion mainly directed at the analysis of mycotoxins deleterious to animal and human health and that are produced by fungi growing in or on stored grain products, agricultural commodities, forage crops and pasture grasses. The natural occurrence of saprophytic, parasitic and endophytic fungi and their evolutionary processes directed at their survival more than suggest an ecological justification for the production of mycotoxins. Survival mechanisms (physiological, reproductive, defensive, etc.,) among these fungi, their economic significance to production and their role in human and animal health underscores the importance of definitive analytical methodology for mycotoxins in our food and feed products. Environmental concerns to reduce the use of herbicides and fungicides have precipitated movements toward eliminating these practices and implementing a no-till agricultural system. Subsequently, fungal infection and mycotoxin contamination of cereal grains, stored grain products, agricultural commodities, field crops, forages and pasture grasses is a story without end. However, with continued development of new analytical technology, advances in mycotoxin research, should provide avenues for understanding fungal-plant growth interactions and contribute to the development of safer and more nutritious food and feed products for a global economy. Technical Abstract: Invited book chapter: Analytical Methodology for Mycotoxins IN: Foodborne Disease Handbook: Volume 3: Plant Toxicants, editors Hui, Y. H., Smith, J.T. and Spoerke, R.J., Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, NY. |
