Mycotoxins and Toxigenic Fungi

Dear Colleagues,

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi. The contamination of crops with mycotoxins can have serious effects on the health of humans and animals. Since mycotoxins are commonly stable substances, the detoxification of mycotoxins is practically difficult. Many countries have established standard values to ensure the safety of food and feed, and most of the contaminated crops that exceed the standard value are usually discarded. As a result, the economic losses resulting from mycotoxin contamination are a very serious problem worldwide.

Toxigenic fungi are present in various environments, such as soils, plants, bio-aerosols, food manufacturing processes, etc. Fungal metabolism, including mycotoxin biosynthesis, is affected by interactions with plants and microorganisms that are likely present in the environment. Additionally, the world is changing, and all living things have to survive on the earth. Additionally, climate changes caused by global warming will affect the ecology of fungi. In order to mitigate the impact of mycotoxigenic fungi on our health as well as global trade, we should clarify the ecology of toxigenic fungi in nature.

The scope of this Special Issue includes but is not limited to:  

• Biosynthesis of fungal secondary metabolites and its regulation;
• Technology for the detection of mycotoxigenic fungi from the environment;
• Interaction of toxigenic fungi with plants, microorganisms, and animals;
• Regulation of mycotoxin contamination.

Prof. Dr. Kimiko Yabe
Guest Editor

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