Mycotoxins are produced by certain species of molds that, when found in feed, can seriously affect animal performance and health.

The term “mycotoxin” comes from the Greek mykes, meaning “fungus,” and toxikon, meaning “poison.” Mycotoxins are non-living, invisible, chemical secondary metabolites, considered unessential for short-term development of the fungi but important for long-term survival.

Levels can vary depending on the mold: one mold species may produce several different mycotoxins, while several species of mold can also produce the same mycotoxin.

Mycotoxins play several roles in supporting fungal colonization and growth on a host plant.

Mycotoxins can serve as antibiotics to suppress other organisms that benefit the plant, can protect mold from predators or, most commonly, can serve as an adaptation mechanism during times of stress.

When a temperature, moisture, oxidation or pH stressor is sensed by the mold, signals are transmitted to the gene level to increase transcription of mycotoxins.

As a result, mycotoxins are produced when they are needed — often during major changes in weather conditions.

Ultimately, the production of mycotoxins allows mold to adapt and survive through increased viability and competitiveness.

The occurrence of mycotoxins depends on several factors that promote mold growth:

• Type of mold species present
• Commodity type
• Agronomic practices
• Geographic location
• Environmental conditions during planting, flowering, harvesting, handling and storage

The amount of mycotoxin produced can be influenced by a variety of different stress situations, which stimulate the mold to produce mycotoxins:

• Biological factors: plant variety, insect damage, fungal spore load
• Physical factors: moisture, relative humidity, temperature, mechanical damage to the plant
• Chemical factors: CO2, O2, pesticide or fungicide use.

Molds produce mycotoxins as a response to a variety of challenges caused by host plant reactions, environmental conditions or agronomic practices.

Due to the many scenarios that can lead to mold production of mycotoxins, they are a complex problem for the agricultural industry.

Author: Alexandra Weaver, Alltech Mycotoxin Management

What exactly are mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins are produced by certain species of molds that, when found in feed, can seriously affect animal performance and health.

The term “mycotoxin” comes from the Greek mykes, meaning “fungus,” and toxikon, meaning “poison.” Mycotoxins are non-living, invisible, chemical secondary metabolites, considered unessential for short-term development of the fungi but important for long-term survival.

Levels can vary depending on the mold: one mold species may produce several different mycotoxins, while several species of mold can also produce the same mycotoxin.

Why do molds produce mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins play several roles in supporting fungal colonization and growth on a host plant.

Mycotoxins can serve as antibiotics to suppress other organisms that benefit the plant, can protect mold from predators or, most commonly, can serve as an adaptation mechanism during times of stress.

When a temperature, moisture, oxidation or pH stressor is sensed by the mold, signals are transmitted to the gene level to increase transcription of mycotoxins.

As a result, mycotoxins are produced when they are needed — often during major changes in weather conditions.

Ultimately, the production of mycotoxins allows mold to adapt and survive through increased viability and competitiveness.

What factors promote mycotoxin production?

The occurrence of mycotoxins depends on several factors that promote mold growth:

• Type of mold species present
• Commodity type
• Agronomic practices
• Geographic location
• Environmental conditions during planting, flowering, harvesting, handling and storage

The amount of mycotoxin produced can be influenced by a variety of different stress situations, which stimulate the mold to produce mycotoxins:

• Biological factors: plant variety, insect damage, fungal spore load
• Physical factors: moisture, relative humidity, temperature, mechanical damage to the plant
  
• Chemical factors: CO2, 02, pesticide or fungicide use.

A complex problem

Molds produce mycotoxins as a response to a variety of challenges caused by host plant reactions, environmental conditions or agronomic practices.

Due to the many scenarios that can lead to mold production of mycotoxins, they are a complex problem for the agricultural industry.

Author: Alexandra Weaver, Alltech Mycotoxin Management

References

BIandino et al 2017. Italian J. Agronomy, 12:215-224.

Garcia-Cela et al., 2018. Toxins, 10, 56

Geisen et al., 2017. Current Opinion Food Sci. 17:1-8.

Nesic et at 2015. Procedia Food Sci. 5:207-210.

Ponts 2015. Frontiers Microbiol. 6, 1234.

Tola and Kebede, 2016. Cogent Food Agri. 2, 1191103.