LES MYCOTOXINES: UN DANGER DE SANTÉ PUBLIC

Abstract

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by molds belonging mainly to the genus Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium and Alternaria. They are likely to be present in a wide range of plant foods or animal environment favorable to their development while causing a loss of nutritional and commercial value. Their development and toxigenicity are influenced by several intrinsic and extrinsic parameters such as the fungal species, the temperature and the nature of the substrate. Aflatoxins produced by Aspergilli section Flavi retain worldwide attention. They can induce toxic effects in several human and animal organs, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified aflatoxins as carcinogenic molecules. Mycotoxins therefore present a public health risk.