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Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxins that frequently contaminate food and feed and are primarily synthesized by moulds from the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Alternaria and Claviceps. These substances are very stable compounds, resistant to different conditions of food production, processing and storage. Mycotoxins can cause a number of adverse effects on human and animal health, so-called mycotoxicoses, including carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, genotoxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and others, often acting simultaneously at multiple target sites in the body, depending on the toxicity of the mycotoxin itself and the dose and time of exposure. A large number of mycotoxins still lack sufficient evidence of their adverse effects on human health, but based on the established susceptibility of different animal species, it is assumed that similar effects can be induced in humans. At the same time, for most mycotoxins that occur frequently in food and feed, their effects in the body have not been elucidated and can vary from antagonistic to synergistic. This paper provides an overview of the mechanisms of action of mycotoxins of major public health importance and their toxic effects in the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins are toxic substances that frequently contaminate food and feed, causing adverse effects on human and animal health and significant economic losses around the world. This paper gives an overview of the current research and knowledge of mycotoxin biological detoxification methods. Biological detoxification implies the use of microorganisms and their enzymes with the aim of degrading or modifying the mycotoxin structure, resulting in the transformation of the original compounds and the formation of less toxic products, or decontamination of mycotoxins. However, previous research and findings have not yet resulted in application in the food and livestock industry, or by approving their use by legislation. Further research is needed on biodegradation mechanisms, microorganism safety, or influence of the application of biological methods on nutritional properties and resulting degradation products, so that mycotoxin biological detoxification methods can be effectively applied in the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]