Peculiarities of mycotoxin accumulation in lichens

The levels and frequencies of mycotoxin accumulation in lichens belonging to 20 genera of the families Cladoniaceae, Nephromataceae, Parmeliaceae, Peltigeraceae, Teloschistaceae, and Umbilicariaceae were characterized using enzyme immunoassay. Alternariol, sterigmatocystin, mycophenolic acid, citrinin, cyclopiazonic acid, and emodin were regularly detected in all genera, except for Peltigera, at an average level of more than 1000 ng/g (i.e., 0.0001%). The necessity for the safety monitoring of drugs based on lichen extractives is discussed.