Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Fabad Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, cilt.33, sa.1, ss.51-66, 2008 (Scopus)
Food safety is one of the major concerns in researches related to food toxicology. Contaminants present in food and feed are the most attention-drawing subjects in the last decade. Particularly, mycotoxin contamination is of great importance as it is widespread and unpreventable. Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites by different fungi species. These compounds pose a potential threat to human and animal health through the ingestion of food products prepared from these commodities. Mycotoxicosis is the term used for poisoning associated with exposures to mycotoxins. The symptoms of a mycotoxicosis depend on the type of mycotoxin; the concentration and length of exposure; as well as age, health, and sex of the exposed individual. Aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A are mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic in many species where Fusarium toxins such as T2 toxin pose a threat as biological warfare agent. Many international agencies are trying to achieve universal standardization of regulatory limits for mycotoxins. Special emphasis must be drawn to mycotoxin contamination of baby foods and infant formulas as babies and small children are the most susceptible population to the effects of these toxins. In this review, the toxic effects of mycotoxins, the regulations in Europe and United States as well as Turkey and particularly the studies and regulations in baby foods will be dwelt upon.