Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi, which may be present on a variety of crops. They are considered a major issue worldwide because of their harmful effects on animals. These contaminants lead to great economic losses, especially in pig and poultry husbandry. Over 400 mycotoxins have been identified. However, only few of them have a significant toxic effect and are of major concern. In this paper, the most important mycotoxins are described, including deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin (T-2), zearalenone (ZON), fumonisin Bl (FBI), ochratoxin A (OTA) and anatoxin Bl (AFB1). For each toxin, its chemical structure, mode of action and symptoms of acute and chronic toxicity in pigs and poultry are discussed.
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