Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by a large variety of moulds mainly of Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium species. The contamination of food and feedstuffs with mycotoxins is a serious threat and causes substantial economic losses in animal husbandry. Global trade of agricultural commodities intensified the discussion about the mycotoxin hazard. Generally, the occurrence of mycotoxins in food and animal feed often shows a geographical pattern, as for example Aspergillus sp. find optimal conditions in tropical and subtropical regions, whereas Fusarium and Penicillium sp. are adapted to the moderate climate of North America and Europe.
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